Tiza Prom Dress and Pageant Blog: Prom Dresses: April 2009 Archives

Ice Queen or Pearly Princess: Choose the Right Jewelry

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on April 26, 2009 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Pearls
Pearls come in various colors. Clean white pearls pair well with both pale pastels--perfect for spring--and vivid bright solids like turquoise, purple and red. Black pearls look good with deep greens, lavender and most silvery metallics. Gold pearls go great with soft browns. Pink pearls look ravishing with black and flowing white spring dresses.

Rhinestones

Rhinestones come in all shapes and sizes, from gaudy to gorgeous. Choosing the right rhinestone depends on your dress color and style. Remember this general rule of thumb: go opposite. If your dress is multi-colored or ornate, wear simple, small pieces of jewelry, or none at all.

If you're wearing a calmer dress with less flash and a classic cut with solid color, go all out with one piece of your jewelry. Choose iridescent stones that reflect your dress color, or funky stone shapes if you're feeling adventurous. But focus on one item. Don't over do it.

Vintage
Vintage jewelry can be super chic when worn with the right dress. Vintage costume pearls and rhinestones look classy with a silk or chiffon, slinky gown that's sultry and sophisticated in cut and style.

No Jewelry
For super elaborate, sequined gowns, it's best to go bare. No jewelry is necessary when your dress is the main attraction.

Pageant and Promwear: What's the Difference?

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Tiza

on April 24, 2009 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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!

Prom Dress Alterations

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Tiza

on April 15, 2009 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You adore your dress, but something's not quite right. Don't let the need to alter your dress halt the fun in prom preparation. Alterations are common and nothing to fret over. Tiza has the scoop on how to spot alteration needs and what you can do to make your gown hug you in all the right places.

Sherri Hill 4005 ball gown

When you try on your dress, do you feel squeezed anywhere? Do you lift your shoulders to keep the straps from falling? Do you have to hold up the train so you won't trip or do you see more than you should when you bend over? When you take the dress off, are there red marks anywhere? If any of this applies, that's your cue to consider alterations.

If you or someone you know can sew, and the alteration is simple, like taking up a few inches on a plain strap, you can easily do this at home. Make sure you have someone help you with measurements. Don't do this yourself. Consider the fabric. Not every fabric is easy to sew.

But, don't let your grandma tackle an intricate, rhinestone-embellished train that's a tad too long. Leave difficult, complex fabrics and designs to professionals. When choosing an alteration location, ask around. Have your friends had a good experience with a particular local seamstress? Don't just go anywhere. Get the facts.

When you find the right alteration place, ask about prices and experience. Have they done dresses before? Ask to see a work-in-progress. Also ask about guarantees. You deserve to get what you pay for, especially if the establishment advertises precision.

Don't let a slight problem cause panic. Alterations are your chance to stylize your dress and make it one-of-a-kind.

New Prom Looks for Hot Locks

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Tiza

on April 8, 2009 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sick of the same hairstyles? No need to stress over your tresses. If you want to spice up your hair, Tiza's here to give you an earful of hair hints for a hot new look.

For straight-haired ladies who want some curvy curls, use two different size curling iron barrels for realistically luscious ringlets. No two natural curls are ever the same size.

Have a favorite celebrity from a different decade? Find a good pic of your favorite silver screen celeb and take it to the salon for a one night only, look-a-like special.

Sherri Hill 2017

If you're wearing your hair down and straight and want to add some funk, braid or twist tiny bits of your hair in various lengths. Start some braids from the root and others halfway down the length of your hair. Hold in place with good hair spray or a bit of gel.

If you dig the braids, but want a girlier style, try braiding your hair in place of a headband. Decorate with pearl clips or appropriate flowers that could double as your corsage.

Add some pizzazz. Get creative with hair up or down with accessories. Try looping a small bit of those dangling bangs and clasping with a heart or star-shaped clip to keep them in place right above your temple.

Create your own constellation with mini rhinestone clips scattered through your updo. Or craft a half headband with mini clips in places you know hair will fall out of place.

Hats are hot. Especially paired with a simple, single-colored dress. Go vintage and sophisticated with silky ribbons and tulle. With just the right tilt, you'll be quite a couture catch.

Ponytails aren't just for pom squads and bad hair days. Go classy with a sleek ponytail that balances a super elaborate dress.

You can count on Tiza to jumpstart your creative juice. Pick a style and get going, girl!

Dress Designer Focus

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Tiza

on April 3, 2009 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tiza only offers the cream of the crop. Expect nothing less than award-winning designers to stitch up a little something especially for you. Check out our featured prom dress designers and a few highlights of the season. With a wide range of unique styles to choose from, you're bound to find the dress--and designer--of your dreams.

Sherri Hill's all glamour. From feathers to bows, everything's a go with this daring designer.
	Check out Jovani's wild side with funky fabrics and cutting edge designs.
La Femme is all feminine. These flowing gowns will make any girl proud of her curves
	Be the belle of the ball in a classic Mori Lee design.
Hot off the red carpet, Faviana fits every flavor.
	Gigi's sophisticated styles come in a rainbow of colors for a selection of delicious dresses.

Pick your poison, ladies. It's dress-up time.

Charming Print Prom Dresses

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Tiza

on April 1, 2009 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As the weather heats up, hot prints are all the rage this season--from florals to sassy ultra mod geometric designs, you can't go wrong with a printed gown. Tiza offers a wide selection of pretty patterns, so let's find out which print will snag you a prince charming.

Jovani 155804150	A girl can't go wrong with polka dots. This gown scatters white dots down that pool at the fluttering trim. The black background peeks through to keep you looking slim, while the white contrast adds an illusion of inches to your stature.
Lafemme 14400 You'll be a contemporary work of art in this delicate, yet funky design. With perfect precision, these playful shapes cascade down the torso to accentuate your curves and keep you looking ladylike.
	ovani cocktail d195721 Sweet meets saucy with this spring green flurry of flounce. Delicate and girly, this fresh fabric gathers in just the right places and tucks as neat as a napkin at the bust. With a silky sash at the waist, you'll shake up any tea party.
Gigi 14369 This psychedelic rainbow print wraps you in ribbons that dance when you strut down the runway. The simple dress design and thick black belt keeps it modern while letting your inner flower power glow with class. Sick of stock colors and plain Jane dresses? Try a print from Tiza.com and step into the spotlight.