Q.
Hey Lucy. I’m a senior this year and I want to run something past you. Last year I wore a straight fitted dress with spaghetti straps and a keyhole back. I liked my dress a lot, but by the end of the night, I almost wished I had chosen a fluffy ball gown. Is it okay to do that this year as a senior? I’m only 5’3”. Am I too short for a ball gown? Thanks in advance, Hannah, 17.
  A.
Hi there Hannah. Sounds like a hot dress you had last year. Glad you had fun in it, and by all means, don’t regret choosing it! That’s the beauty of going to prom two years in a row. You can change your style to be completely different the next year. Now, go for the ball gown look! You won’t have another chance to wear something as feminine and special as a ball gown again, so make it count and look like Cinderella your senior year. And no, you are not too short for a ball gown. As long as you have a good seamstress to shorten your length, you’ll be fine. Have a great time in your ball gown, princess!

  Q.
Lucy, all my best girls are telling me I need to wear a halter neckline to show off my stuff. I’ve got a lot up top. Do you think that’s a good style for me? Leila, 16.
  A.
Leila, take your girlfriends’ advice. Halters look great on those of us with “lots up top”. In fact, believe it or not, they also look good on girls that don’t have it goin’ on up there. It actually makes them look larger while it shapes and enhances those of us who already have it. Another great thing about halter necklines is that they make you look slimmer and longer because they create a vertical line on your body. So, I say, if you got it, flaunt it!

  Q.
Dear Lucy, My complexion is pretty fair mixed with my brown hair. I’m seeing a lot of pastel colors in the prom magazines, and I’m kind of liking the lime green. Is this a good color for me? What are some other popular ones and is a strapless neckline still hot? Thanks, Beth, 17.
  A.
Hi Beth. Yes, lime green, also called pistachio, is a very popular color for this season. If you can think it, you’ll see it. Everything from corals, to melons, to yellows, to white, to black, to red are showing up for prom. The prom is all about fun, so make sure you have fun with your color choice. As far as necklines go, strapless will ALWAYS be hot. Never doubt it. But, one thing that is great about a strapless neckline is that you can always add straps to it if you feel like you need a little extra security up there for more comfort. It looks great both ways. Good luck picking a color this year. You have so many choices. Don’t let your complexion concern you. These days, it’s all about the body glitter no matter what your skin tone. That will give you all the glow you need to make your pastel color look fantastic. If you haven’t tried lime or melon before, go for it. You’ll love how heads turn!

  Q.
Lucy, do we have to wear long dresses to prom? I’ve seen some really cool looking styles, but they are t-length and some are longer in the back and shorter in the front. What’s the rule? After all, I am a senior, and I want to be a little different. Susan, 18.
  A.
Susan, the rule is, NO RULES. All hemlines go this year. Believe it. That longer in the back hemline -- its called the Hi-Low hemline, and it is way hot. T-length is good too.
Also on the horizon is the short ball gown. Oh, yes and it is dynamite! One reason these styles are so great this season is because
the shoes are oh so cute this year. Look out for strappy
gladiator looking heels -- straps that lace up around
your ankles. Get a great pedicure, some open toed
heels with ribbon straps, a hi-low hem, or a
flirty, short ball gown and you are set!