Results tagged “prom” from Tiza Prom Dress and Pageant Blog

Yet another hilarious prom story for your reading pleasure. Brought to you by Tiza shoppers everywhere. This one's a doozy...

"For my first prom, I went with a big group of girls. We didn't really want dates and it was just easier and more fun. We had a limo pick us up at one of my friend's house after taking a whole bunch of pics. When the driver got out to open the passenger door, we all giggled I'm sure because he was so cute and young.

We all piled into the limo, thankful to get out on our own. There was a sliding wall between the driver and us and he had it closed to give us privacy, I guess. So, we started playing this game called 'Have You Ever.' It's silly, but you everyone takes turns asking an embarrassing question, usually stuff you don't want anyone else to really know about. If you've done it, you have to keep you hand raised.

We go around the circle and get to me. I jokingly asked the group if anyone had ever thought about kissing the limo driver. Everyone laughs and a few girls keep their hands raised, including me. Then, all of a sudden, the little black window at the front of the limo slides open and the limo driver looks back and yells in a girly voice, "I sure have. I hear he's, like, super hot!"

I'm sure my face turned fire red. The worst part was that he chuckled at me when I got out of the limo for dinner. I'll never say another word in a limo again. You never know when someone's listening!"

Anna, VT

Tiza asked for your most memorable prom stories. Here's one from Kayla in Norman, Oklahoma.

"I was a junior in high school. My first prom. There was this guy who I'd gone to school with forever. Since Kindergarten. We'd grown up together, just around the block from each other. Rode bikes, all that stuff. Ben was sort of like a brother, but a best friend at the same time. I could hang out in sloppy ponytails and t-shirts and not care around him. I took him home from school every day because he didn't have a car. I didn't even think about him as a possible date for prom.

In the car one day after school we were joking about prom because I bought a dress i fell in love with before I got a date. and he nonchalantly asked me what color my dress was. I told him red.

The next morning before school, my dad came in to my room and said, 'Kay, I think you should go look at your car.'

I was used to sporadic shoe-polishing for football games. But I went out to my car, it's a little white Mustang, and it was totally covered in red paper cut out flowers. With glued on glitter. I mean covered. Like a ladybug, but reverse spots. I started picking off the flowers one by one and realized they were numbered with single letters on the back of each flower.

So, I laid them all out on the driveway in order. It took like twenty minutes and made me late for first period. The letters spelled out, 'What up neighbor. I hear U R going 2 prom with the coolest guy ever. That must B me. Sweet!'

I just laughed and didn't question it.

When Ben picked me up on prom night, he was wearing a sparkly red paper flower pinned on his jacket with a safety pin and he handed me a bouquet of the same.

'This way, they won't die,' he said. We went to McDonald's looking awesome and had the best night ever. And I won't say there weren't butterflies after that night."

Thanks, Kayla!
Keep sending us your stories!

"There's a girl at my school who isn't very nice, to say the least. One of my good friends is really pretty and always has the hottest boyfriends. She's really nice too, so you can't get mad at her. The 'mean' girl I can call J.

At a dance earlier this year at our school, my group walked into the gym and J immediately came over to my gorgeous friend--I'll call her S--and made fun of her dress. S has dark skin and wore this awesome goldeny yellow gown. J called S a banana. How dumb is that? S just smiled and said thanks.

Later on in the night, S won this prize we all voted on. Of course. It was kind of like prom king and queen, but small town style. The principal crowned S with a plastic tiara from the Dollar Store. When she stepped off the cinderblock stage, she walked right up to J and said, 'I guess bananas are in season.' We all nearly fell over laughing. J shut up and really hasn't messed with S since.

I can't wait to see what happens at the next dance when we're all seniors."

-Amy, The Middle of No Where, OK

Dangly rhinestones or pearl studs? Your jewelry may be the tiniest part of your prom evening, but can make or break an outfit. Let Tiza help you decide what jewelry to wear depending on your choice of dress.

To tan or not to tan: what's a girl to do? Let's break it down. Before you buy a fake bake package or lather yourself in oil and head to Mexico, get your facts straight. Tiza loves a woman who makes wise choices--especially when it comes to the skin you're in.

What is a tan? According to Merriam-Webster.com, the word itself derives from old school English and Latin words that mean "to turn to leather." That's enough to make you think. Here's the low down: Sunlight makes your skin produce melanin--dark skin pigment, which builds up and protects against UV ray's bad effects. It takes several days to build up enough melanin to a protective level. The more you have, the darker you are, and the more protected you are from evil UV sunrays.

But what are UV rays? The sun hits the Earth in three types of rays--UVA, UVB and UVC. The atmosphere keeps UVC out, but not the first two. UVB is the bad guy who causes cancer and wrinkles. Many surfaces like water, snow and sand, reflect UV rays, which amplifies sunshine's effects. Hence, sunburns while skiing.

So, what is a sunburn? The sun will 'burn' your skin's cells when it has no protection from UV rays--whether natural melanin or sunscreen. Your skin responds to UV rays by elevating blood flow to the top skin layers to begin damage repair. That explains the redness. Nerve endings are super sensitive on any wound, including burns. That's why it hurts.

How does sunscreen work? Sunscreen basically contains chemicals that absorb UVB rays, acting like a shield for your skin. Sun Protection Factor--or SPF--is a protective multiplier. If you're okay in the sun for twenty minutes, SPF 20 will keep you safe for about 200 minutes. It takes about 30 minutes for sun screen to bind to your skin, which is why your mom made you sit by the pool to 'let your sunscreen dry'. SPF only protects against UVB, so you still tan a little with sunscreen applied.

What are my options? The tanning industry offers many alternatives to spending hours sweating in the sun or a tanning booth. From spray on tans to creams, lotions and gels, you have plenty of options to get a healthy, gorgeous glow for prom.

Need to add some sunshine to your morning glories? Your prom corsage can be kitsch. Check out Tiza's suggestions on how to add some funk and flourish to your flower. An old prom tradition doesn't have to be outdated. Think outside the box. Try one of several creative options to the classic wrist or pin-on corsage.

* Try a choker corsage. If you're wearing an up-do and no necklace, a simple flower that matches your dress will add a glam touch to your photos. Choose a delicate, thin, silky ribbon that highlights your skin tone. Tie with the flower slightly off-center, resting gently above your collarbone.
* Create a clip corsage. A single large flower or small cluster of dainty smaller flowers can be twined together and hot-glued to a bobby pin or hair clip for a ravishing, one-of-a-kind accessory. Pin behind the ear or add to your up-do.
* Pump up your purse. If you're carrying a clutch and don't want itchy leaves on your skin, consider tying a corsage to your clutch.
* If you like the wrist look, but want something that doesn't get in the way, try a rosebud bracelet--a series of small flowers that gently hugs your wrist and doesn't stick out too far. Order from your florist in advance!
* Need to spice up your flora? Try weaving stringed pearls or crystal beads around your small bouquet, or even super glue tiny sparkling beads to leaves and petals.
* Ditch the dying flowers altogether. Go for an everlasting corsage made of rhinestones and ribbon.

This season, get creative with your corsage. Be the belle of the ball with a beautiful floral creation that's as unique as you are.

This age old riddle has rattled the brains of beauty queens worldwide. Every fashion magazine under the sun attempts to solve the mystery--what's the difference between a pageant gown and a prom dress? But with so many different answers, how's a girl to know a trustworthy source?

With plenty of proms and pageants under our funky leather belts, Tiza has the scoop on how to tell the real difference between a pageant and promwear.

Classically, the main difference is price. Tack on several hundred dollars worth of fabric and precision and you've got a pageant gown. Trim off the real gold embroidary and a little spilled prom punch won't matter as much. But today, the line is fine between the two. Sometimes even a little blurry.

One rule to remember is you can typically pull off a pageant dress at prom, but never the other way around. Flip through your favorite magazines and check out Tiza's prom and pageant online sections to find out for yourself. Your fashion instincts will smell the difference right away.

A pageant dress isn't one you'll find on the racks in department stores. Usually, pageant wear comes custom made to fit a contestant's features. Don't get us wrong, prom dresses can be fit for a princess, too. But usually, prom dresses are mass-produced, less intricate and made for a little wear and tear.

Another tidbit to remember: short cocktail dresses can pass at prom, but not at a pageant. Funky flies on the dance floor, but go for elegant on the stage.

When shopping for a pageant or prom dress, go with your gut. If a dress feels too simple for a pageant, it probably is. If it feels like too much glitz and glam for a dance, think it over. You know your style. Tiza is here to help. Shop away!

You adore the dress, but is it fit for your body? Not every body fits neatly inside a body type mold, but most can identify with one type that will help you choose the right cut and style. Find out where your figure falls with our simple body type outline.

Pear Shape-- You're wider in the hips than you are in the bust or shoulders. Some might say you have childbearing hips. You tend to look thinner from the side and probably have a flat stomach.

Petite--You often have problems finding fitted jackets and pants that don't swallow your frame and sag at your hips. You tend to wear spandex and may even still shop in the juniors' department. Short heights and small bone structure run in your family's genes.

Hourglass--You're noted for your curves. Your bust and hips are about the same when measured, with a waist that tapers in at your belly button--your true waist. You have the classic Marilyn Monroe full-figure "eight" shape.

Slender--People may ask if you're a model, especially if you're tall. You're lean with long bones and probably don't have much junk in the trunk. You don't tend to gain noticeable weight.

Fuller Bust--Hello, my face is up here, buddy. You may have problems finding shirts that aren't too tight on top but fit your middle. Your bust is wider than your hips.

Athletic Build--With strong, wide shoulders, you may sport some killer lean legs. You probably build muscle easily and look for ways to highlight your feminine side.

Apple Shape--Thicker in the middle, where you tend to store extra fat, you probably focus on your facial features, girly legs and hands when dressing up.

Now that you know your body type, tune in next time to find out how to spot the best dress for your figure to maximize your online shopping experience.

Sometimes, a prom date can blindside you with some serious setbacks. These decisions can make or break your evening--not to mention the rest of forever, if you're not careful. So read carefully to prepare to deal with the worst and still have a safe, super awesome night

Dilemma 7: He asks you to do something you're uncomfortable doing.

Anything from a quick kiss to something illegal, if you feel the slightest twinge of apprehension, say no. Practice in front of a mirror if you have to. It's two letters, one syllable, that will save you all sorts of heartache. Plus, in the end, a guy will most likely respect a girl who knows what she wants--and doesn't want. Also, you'll encourage your friends to do the same and set their boundaries.

Dilemma 8: He tells you he got a hotel room or his parents are out of town.

This means one thing. He might like your dress better on the floor. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can say you have a curfew. It's best to have a cell phone handy for emergency calls to friends or parents if he's persistent and you begin to feel unsafe. Don't fall for "everybody's doing it" or "come on, this is a once in a lifetime chance." No, it's not. You have a lifetime of chances ahead of you.

Dilemma 9: He wants you to drink.

First, if you're under 21, you're asking for trouble. Even if you don't drink, remember you are guilty by association. If you don't want to leave the group or party, make your own drink--alcohol free. Pour a coke and add a lime. If anyone asks, you have picky taste. Sip away and be the smart one. If someone hands you a drink you're not sure who poured, say thanks but no thanks or discreetly pour it out in the bathroom. No harm done.

Tune in next time for more Date Dilemmas solved!

It's time to start your own tradition. For this year's prom or special occasion, avoid the same old overpriced spaghetti and long wait lines for your party of twelve. Instead of eating out, try dining in--at home, that is.

Start by making sure not going to a restaurant is okay with the group. Now choose someone's house--particularly one with the biggest dining area. Get the mothers all on board. Most likely, they'll be pumped to prepare a fabulous dinner for their darlings. Take requests from everyone and create your prom night menu.

You can create handmade menus or invitations to the dinner, even give your restaurant a name. Now send out the invites, and you're on your way.

Time to get creative. Feel like dining in a chic metropolitan café? Use tall champagne flutes for your sparkling grape juice. Drape a sheer fabric from your local fabric store over blinds and furniture. Decorate with candles and mirrors. Toss a little silver confetti on and around the table. Don't forget mood music. Create a playlist that will last through dinner and hide your computer or radio in a discreet place.

Bribe little brothers to be butlers for a night (hey, it's worth a shot). If the parents are up for it, let them play waitress at dinner. This will spice up the night and add a little flavor to your one-night-only dining extravaganza.

With the cash you'll save, have the limo pick up the group right at the driveway. Don't keep your table waiting on this one-night-only dining in experience!

Two days and counting until your prom. Are you psyched? Well, you should be. Tiza is here to help you get prepared and posh for the best night of your life. So take these tips and heed them to; the best prom ever is up to you.

1) We're down to the wire ladies, underwire that is. Now's the time to try on your whole get up, including underwear. Check for panty lines and peek-a-boo bra straps. You still have time for a last minute run to the mall.

2) Be ten minutes early to all your appointments. You might get an early start on that French manicure. We can't have a hurried hairstylist teasing your hair to a fro.

3) Remember to pick up the boutonniere. Make sure it's the flower and color you ordered.

4) Call your date. This is mandatory! Guys tend to forget details like corsages and important times. Remind him that prom is indeed in less than 48 hours. Oh, and remind him to pick up his tux, too.

5) Try not to drink any caffeine before the big day so you will sleep well. Rest is important for a long night out! Plus, you're probably anxious. This leads to restlessness.

6) Go over a little etiquette while you whittle away the hours. You can find great table manners on the Internet.

7) Charge your cell phone and camera.

8) Get dressed. Get set. Get going!

Finally, don't flip out. You've done everything you need, so relax and let the fun begin!

So, you think you're hot stuff? Well, you are. Tiza wants to show the world how gorgeous you look in our gowns. If you've purchased a dress from Tiza and worn it to prom, for a pageant or any lavish occasion, send us your favorite photos.

Our savvy fashionistas will analyze every detail with trained eyes straight out of The Devil Wears Prada. They will look at overall ensemble and your ability to match a dress to your body type, skin and hair color.

Finalists will have their photo featured right here on our website for the glamor world to gaze at.

Hey, you just might be the next Top Model. We know you belong on a fashion magazine cover, so prove it to the world.

Send your pics to bestdress@tiza.com.

Keep it appropriate. We dress classy chic here.

May the best dress win!

Don't let stress get you in a tizzy one week before prom. We can't have a splotchy complexion! Take a deep breath, and take care of our one-week wonder list. If you've got everything checked off, you're ready for a ball!

1) Start sleeping well now. Try to get eight hours every night. If you can't sleep like a baby, at least be in bed with the lights off or dim. Try reading an especially boring book until you fall asleep. Adequate sleep prevents dark circles under the eyes. No ghosts going to prom this year.

8) Be careful. Now's not the time to try back flips in the front yard. Casts aren't cool with corsages.

9) Finally, don't change anything. Under stress, you might be tempted to buy a whole new dress or dye your hair red. Don't. You've made wise choices while sane, so let's keep it that way.

Stay in touch for the two-day countdown to the best prom of your life!

No one wants to step out of a limo in a frumpy, Victorian, turtleneck dress just to stay warm during fancy wintry occasions. To avoid shivering and stay shimmering on your big night, use these vital tips to nip those goose bumps in the bud.

- Flaunt the right shawl or jacket for your dress. Pair a loose-armed, cropped cashmere jacket with a slim gown. Faux fur wraps match well with silk fabric, but avoid mixing sequins and fur. There is no glamour in gaudy.

- Wearing a fuller gown? Avoid bulk by wearing a thin wrap around your shoulders and an up-do to balance fabric usage.

- If your dress is simple and classic, take advantage of the season and go velvet with a stole or jacket.

- On breezy winter nights, steer clear of large, revealing cutouts in your gown's torso. A chilly draft on the tummy or back? No thanks.

- Hose aren't just for Grandma. Skin tone panty hose give your legs a sleek, evenly colored sheen. No more frozen toes in stilettos this February.