Prom Tips

Dressing like a modern prom queen

* Update your look. Wear a dress that is to the knee, tea-length or a minidress. The look is modern and will make it easy to dance and enjoy the night. Body-conscious floor-length dresses, though popular on the red carpet, limit movement and your ability to dance.

* Expose your shoulders. It's a sexy look without revealing too much skin. Strapless or spaghetti-strap dresses are a tasteful way to show off a young girl's neck and face.

* Define the waist. Show your shape with a body-defining bow, sash or cummerbund. You can even buy a piece of ribbon or fabric and make a colorful belt for your dress.

* Have fun with jewelry. Pile on the costume pearls -- long strands, short strands or both. You can find really inexpensive pearls at thrift stores or costume-jewelry shops. Brooches are great to pin not just on your dress, but also to a bag or in your hair.

* Bows and headbands. Headbands add a feminine and whimsical touch. You can simply tie a bow in your hair, or for a more dramatic goddess look try a shimmery headband.

* Metallic shoes. Sling-back, strappy metallic heels go with every dress and will add a touch of sparkle to your look. Don't fall into the trap of dyeing shoes to match a dress.

--AP