A formal occasion calls for fancy dress attire. Formal occasions can include a variety of events such as a wedding, prom, birthday, retirement or an award dinner. When a special event takes place, it is very important to choose the right dress or suit for the occasion.

You may consider visiting a nearby shop in your local area like Peaches Boutique whenever you are shopping for a formal dress. Peaches Boutique runs one of the top dress stores in Chicago area. If you happen to live around the area, they are one of the stores you should visit. If not, they also have a website where you can check what they have on offer. You may find something that catches your eye almost immediately.

There are a variety of things to consider when shopping for a formal dress, such as:

You must consider the various dress styles currently on the market. Certain styles are favored by some people therefore it is important that you choose a dress that you really do like.

• In addition, it would be best to purchase a dress that can be worn at other occasions in the future. For example, if you buy a formal dress for a wedding, it is possible that you can wear the same dress at another formal affair within the near future. Purchasing a pricey dress and wearing it only once is generally a waste of money.
• It is also very important to purchase something that will blend nicely with your complexion, eye color and body shape. Some of us are tiny, some of us are average and some of us may be a few pounds overweight. Therefore, it would be a great deal if you try the dress on before you decide to purchase it.
• To avoid having to buy new shoes, a purse or other accessories, it would be beneficial to purchase a dress that will ultimately match a pair of shoes or purse that you already have in your closet. If this cannot be done then you may also have to purchase new accessories such as purse, earrings, shoes etc.
• If you plan on buying something that can be worn at other special events then you need to decide whether a particular style of dress is more likely to be in style within the next year or two. Therefore, choosing plain and or solid colors may be your best bet. Print dresses or flowery patterns may not be the most practical choice.
• Color is one of the most important considerations when purchasing a new dress. Darker and/or solid colors such as dark blue, black even white never seem to go out of style and can be worn with almost anything.
• Choosing a fabric is another very important consideration. If you are looking to purchase a high end dress and money is not a consideration then you may consider a silk or cotton fabric. Silk dresses can be quite expensive but can also be quite beautiful. However, a simple cotton dress may do just fine. Cotton is a common fabric used in a variety of dresses.
• It may be wise to stay away from polyester fabric. Fabric of this kind tends to be warm and uncomfortable. In addition, polyester fabric is very inexpensive and does wrinkle quite easily. Some polyester fabric look very cheap and inexpensive.
• As previously mentioned, you need to choose a formal dress that fits your body shape and contour. For example, if you are a few pounds overweight, it may not be a good idea to wear something that draws attention to the cleavage area and or the area of the knees. Therefore, you may consider buying a dress a bit longer so that it covers the knees and a good part of the leg area. In addition, it may be wise to keep the entire chest area covered.
• If you are thin and well built, you can probably get away with wearing just about anything. Therefore, it would be acceptable to show more leg and cleavage. Only you know what looks best on you.
• Cost is usually a consideration for most people unless you are very financially secure. When shopping for a formal dress you may wish to set a specific price range even before you begin to look. You may be very surprised at what bargains you can find if you know where to look. You can easily find a dress that looks very impressive without spending a fortune. Therefore, design a budget and stick within that price range.

Take note of all those points and you’re sure to find a stunning formal dress.

The saying ‘what goes around comes around’ is always relevant for women’s fashion. And the trends of winter 2016/17 have definitely gone the nostalgia route. Styles that hark back to those of the vividly sunny 1950s are very much in. Why? Well, aside from the fact nostalgia’s powerful when it comes to trends, one reason may be that right now you can’t move for fancy dress-like events wallowing in recreating the rock and roll era. And, frankly, who wouldn’t want to throw themselves back to when Elvis swung his hips and T-Birds and Pink Ladies roamed the dining halls and diners?

Back to the ’50s

So what is the ’50s look? If we’re going to be honest, that’s not the easiest question to answer, as fashion – especially for women – varied throughout that decade. Generally speaking, though, ’50s fashion reflected an (albeit slowly) growing liberation and lack of conformity among women; especially young women. The war-ravaged years of the 1940s had resulted in tight dresses and dull shades thanks to limitations on fabric; with these restrictions eventually lifted in the ’50s, fashion blossomed – indeed, you might say literally in its appearance.

That’s to say, the post-war look was all about using more fabric and mixing up colors. So out went the narrow skirts in those dull shades; in came bright and patterned outfits and wide ’50s style dresses, perfect for throwing your body around and being energetically twirled by a dancing partner to the rock and roll beat. This was the ‘American look’; accomplished by all-round pleating and stiff crinoline petticoats. Very quickly it spread beyond the US and all around Europe; as fast as it took the hits of Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and their ilk to cross the pond, in fact.

Party season essentials

Fair dos, though, winter style this year isn’t just about the 1950s. As ever, elegance is what wins out when it comes to Christmas party dresses. So we’re talking shimmering ball gown-like dresses and backless-strappy efforts in deep reds, blues and golds. And, of course, that universal classic – the ‘LBD’. What’s timeless never goes out of fashion. By its very nature, it’s always in.

Rockabilly cool

But what about when the pasty season’s past? What if you find that ’50s look a little, well, staid? There’s always a way to twist it, for sure – and again, you need only look back for inspiration. The rockabilly movement is very much the alt-’50s look. It’s the – if you will – hipster take on all that’s mentioned above. Skewering the mainstream sensibilities of those bright, happy, wide dresses with something a little edgier; a little sexier.

It took its cue (and certainly does nowadays in enthusiasts’ eyes) from pulp fiction novel covers, B-movies and pin-up styles of the era; everything from the crinoline skirt to the gypsy top, the tight sweater to the pencil skirt. It’s all about transforming yourself from Sandra Dee to Sandy at the end of Grease. It’s not hard to understand why the rockabilly look’s suddenly the one everyone wants!

In the end, though, why not try mixing it up? With the general ’50s style (and that of the more specialized rockabilly look) so popular now, why not embrace the liberation and free-wheeling spirit behind it all? Do you own thing like it’s 1955!