The Unconventional
It’s prom season and I for one have always been in favor of the unconventional attire. However, I have seen some choices that go waaaaay beyond my self-imposed limitations.
The kids and I have visited a few prom photo sessions over the past month and it’s exciting to see the young adults’ fashion sense and ultimate choices.
The fashion for the boys certainly has changed! Back in the day, guys just grabbed a suit or even splurged on a tuxedo rental. Their biggest choice used to be what color tie or cumberbund to select which usually meant matching their dates’ outfit, if they had a date for the occasion.
As of lately, the guys are wearing vivid colored suits, think Dolce & Gabbana floral prints, which may be with cropped jackets at the waist. Gone are the wingtipped Stacey Adams with coordinating dress socks and in are loafers with no socks.
Hair styles for the guys have become a thing too. I have seen some guys over the past few years rock “fly-er” hair styles than the ladies. Fashion can be the ultimate self-expression without muttering a single word—your shoes and handbag can say it all.
My daughter is preparing for her eighth grade soiree in a few weeks so she has been taking special notes of the prom looks she has be seeing. Of course, I/we don’t plan on going full out prom formal for the event but she will be on point. Her fashion sense evolves each year she grows older and I must say her mom’s “unsolicited fashion advise” is shaping some of her own choices.
It used to be that before age 10 I could suggest a piece or two and she would likely agree. After double digits, most shopping trips that included me picking out something in her section meant her scoping it out before I said anything and her running the other way. But over the last year of so, she seems to be on page with some of my fashion sense.
As an up and coming high schooler, minus the uniforms, she is so excited about displaying her fashion sense. I would describe her vibe as functional and comfortable with classic and modern twists. Given the event of the day, you could find her sporting her Kate Spade canvas kicks, recyclable material made athletic shoes, or three to five inch heels—she’s versatile with it.
She told me just the other day that updating her wardrobe for the Fall was a must. I agreed, but I told her “updating a wardrobe is a process not a race—you buy quality pieces that will blend with anything and stand the test of time.”
Anyway as far as the upcoming soiree goes, I suggested that if she really is going to dance that she should go for an elegant romper in a sparkly color. She liked the idea and has her sights set on a sparkly fuschia number that is sure to wow—in an unconventional way. Most of her classmates are wearing some sort of “frumpy” formal dress that she is intent on avoiding.
Let’s hear it for the unconventional.