Elegant Material Choices For Prom Dresses


When choosing prom dresses, the material is crucial to complement your figure and to enable ultimate comfort during your prom night. Prom dress material should be elegant, flexible, stylish, glamorous, and of course, cool enough to minimize sweating - all these features wrapped in one lovely gown.

Material Prints and Accents

Prom dresses can be either plain with one or two colors, or they can have prints and accents such as floral designs to offset the color. Floral prints give prom dresses a more feminine touch while also enhancing your body's shape. If you'd like to prevent others from focusing on one particular part of your body - such as your waistline or stomach, flower prints can help distract and redirect the eyes to other parts of the dress. Floral prints can also add a touch of color to your dress without clashing.


Elegant beadwork enhances a prom dress with fancy designs and colors. The beadwork may be small and subtle or very bright and colorful. Beadwork might enhance the mid-section of your dress, or the upper or lower halves. It depends on the look and feel you want as well as how much color you want in your formal dress design.

Many prom goers also opt for ruffles or draping fabrics to enhance their gowns. Ruffles help create lines in the fabric while draping fabrics add shape and curves to the body.

Hint: Avoid tight fabrics that cling to the body. These can make you appear chubby (even if you are not) and can hinder the look you're trying to achieve.

Recommended Fabrics for Prom Dresses

Fabrics that are lightweight and flowing are silk and poly chiffon. These materials enable free movements during prom dances because the fabrics move with the body (without hideous static cling). For a more curvaceous appearance, opt for poly spandex. Other popular materials for prom dresses, homecoming dresses, and evening gowns are tulle and poly satin materials.

Keep in mind that the color of your material is extremely important. Bright, spring-like colors look great with a duller material, while darker colors shine beautifully with satin or silky material. Consider if you want the bright, cheery look or if you want to create a more dramatic effect with your prom dress material and colors. Be sure to choose colors and styles that can be accessorized with shoes, jewelry, purse, etc. Odd colors might pose a problem when trying to find matching accessories.

If making your own prom dress, choose elegant materials such as silk charmeuse, chiffon, or silk organza for great results. Or if you want to buy a prom dress or other formal wear, try a popular designer such as Jovani, Alyce Designs, Mori Lee, Riva Designs, Faviana, or Tiffany. These designers carry top quality dresses to help you look your best on your special evening, garnished with only the best prom dress materials and designs.

Shopping for prom dresses in all styles and materials is easy today with an online formal wear retailer. You can quickly browse hundreds of beautiful prom dresses, gowns, evening wear, homecoming dresses, formal dresses, and more at the click of a mouse!