Dress dealers around Missoula say students at Sentinel and Big Sky high schools will be all over the stylistic map at the big dance. They've filled requests ranging from 1950s bubble skirts to last month's Oscar-night Hollywood glam.
“This is the first year I've seen stuff all over the board,” said Rebecca Wagner, owner and chief buyer at My Sister's Closet and Prom!, which specialize in formal wear. “There's way more variety than any prom season I've seen in the past six years.”
At the same time, there's been a strong call for poofy ball gowns, shorter full skirts and slinky, clingy sequined affairs. Conspicuous by their absence are sleeves - spaghetti straps, or less, are what most young women want on their shoulders this spring.
On their arms, prom ladies want single, dedicated young men. Posses and packs appear to be on the decline this year, although many couples are shopping together to ensure their ensembles harmonize. And the young men are equally interested in making a statement.
“We're seeing a lot of guys looking for the 1970s tuxes,” said Lisa Simecek at Carlo's One Night Stand. “They want the ruffles and the powder-blue and the other fun colors. They've been looking for the white loafers, too.”
Brown has also been a hot color in men's formals, either as a dominant or a detail. And nobody's wearing bow ties unless they can tie them themselves. The vest-and-Windsor look has banished the cummerbund, at least this year.
Some things remain the same. Gals are generally buying their outfits, and dropping between $40 for a vintage retread to $350 for mid-range new retail. Tuxedos, which continue to be more durable and therefore more costly, remain in the rental market. Guys are doling out between $50 and $300 for a night in James Bond's penguin disguise.
Hellgate High School fashionistas have the advantage this year. Their date in the spotlight doesn't come until April 26, so they can capitalize on all the bold ideas and missteps. Of course, they also risk picked-over racks and depleted inventories.
That's fashion.
Rob Chaney really knows nothing about prom fashion except what other people tell him. He can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com
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