Prom royalty

Prom is exciting since it’s the most memorable night in all your adolescent years. Prom date problem settled and all, your major concern is, naturally, your dress. What color should you go for? Classic black, sultry red or soft pastels? Then cut – cocktail short, bustled, sweep train, A-line or balloon? The neckline of your number also makes for one major consideration when planning the dress that can either make you this year’s queen or wallflower. Haltered, portrait, off-the-shoulder or strapless?

Oftentimes, you get so caught up in details of the dress that come prom night you completely forget about accessories. Now, if you plan on going all-out vintage and raid your lola or mom’s jewelry box for stuff, well, then good for you as you need not worry about the extra expense or rushing to the jewelry stores just a few hours before your date comes knocking on your door. Then again, wearing family jewels means you’ll have to be on guard all night long, checking on those precious earrings when you ought to be dancing the night away. This also means spending extra time making sure the gems on your wrist or neck have not fallen off. Not fun.

YStyle picks out several royalty pieces that proclaim "Prom queen" without going over the top. Chandelier earrings that utilize Swarovski crystals, fresh water pearls and other interesting materials frame and give the face an added glow. Just make sure not to pick out a piece that is proportional to your height. You don’t want earrings that dangle all the way to your shoulders. Remember, they’re supposed to dangle, not drag. Similarly, the shape of your earrings should complement your face, not emphasize your flaws. Color and sparkle is equally essential. You may opt to tone down a peacock-ish number with something in a slightly somber hue or liven up classic shades with contrasting and eye-catching pieces.

A favorite for prom season is the charm bracelet. It’s versatile and kitschy. The romantic bracelet is perfect for anyone who likes to have fun while staying in style. Pick out charms that reflect your personality – name plates, a solitaire gem, shoes, a cat’s paw, just about anything under the sun. Mix and match funky details with a little luxe and you have a piece that you can wear on prom night and to other events ahead.

If your dress is bare shouldered and you’d like to showcase that swanlike neck, layered chains of gold or silver, depending on what your color motif is, make a perfect neck piece. As chains give that young, playful vibe to an ensemble, you can add feminine little details in sweet tones to fit the occasion.

Maybe for some reason or another, you feel compelled to wear a tiara way before the coronation. Take things a little slow and opt for an intricately embellished hair comb that is just perfect on French twists or buns. Not only is this a great alternative to the headpiece, it also requires less balance.

The right accessories will truly make your prom even more fab that it already is. With the right selection, you needn’t spend a whopping five digits or place those family jewels at risk just to look amazing for your prom picture. Be a queen, princess, duchess with these pieces. And you should. You are, after all, prom royalty.