Modestify Your Prom: Episode 2

Today we're going to talk about modestifying the price of prom. Yes, prom is an important night - honestly, it's probably the last time in your life when you'll be participating in such a unique social engagement. Sure, there are formal dances in college, but trust me - they are very different. So, yes indeed, you want prom to be special and you want to go ahead and splurge in all sorts of ways that make you feel like a princess. Or a fairy. Or a flapper. Or whatever you most want to feel like. It's your prom.

But at the same time, the expense of all this splurging can get to be overwhelming and leave you feeling more like a pauper than a princess - the little match girl left on the street. But there are tons of ways to go all Cinderella, even without the fairy godmother.

First, the dress. Here's a definitely awesome tip from Cinderella and her little furry friends: use your existing resources to make or modify an existing dress. Go through your closet, your sister's closet (if you have the sharing kind of sister), your mom's closet, and the ever-wonderful thrift store to find a dress that may not be perfect at first glance but can be made perfect with a few adjustments. For example, take a simple dress and add embellishments that will glam it up for your night of glory.

Here are some of my ideas for how to make something simple into something fabulous:



Glam it Up by CherryTree84 featuring Betsey Johnson necklaces

In this set, I used the classic tiara, some high-heeled mary janes, a multi-string necklace, and fingerless lace gloves to turn a simple silver dress into one worthy for prom. So take a second look at your Sunday dresses and try to imagine what they might be like with a little help from the accessory department.


Glam it Up 2 by CherryTree84 featuring Tarina Tarantino necklaces

For this one, I've added a splash of pink to this little black dress with some oh-so-girly pink heels and a pink beaded necklace. I absolutely adore that black lace headband which you could totally make yourself after a trip to the craft store. And of course, the clutch purse to tie the whole girly ensemble together.


Glam it up 3 by CherryTree84 featuring Carvela heels & wedges


This one is the one I am most proud of. That dress is way simple and not something you'd normally see and think "prom." But then we add some unique elements - the feather fascinator headband (again an easy and creative accessory you could make yourself), the wrap belt with the lovely bow (think long black strip of fabric wrapped around several times), some kicky heels, and finally some black fingerless lace gloves. Neat eh?

Hope this gave you some ideas on how to take something simple and turn it into something uniquely inspired, totally you, and prom-ready. Stay tuned for further episodes on modestifying the price of prom in other ways.

Tutorial Tuesday: Flower Headbands

So, playing around on polyvore.com (which I'm sure will be a new favorite pastime), I've seen tons of headbands that just make me squeal in girlish delight. Bows, flowers, hearts - all such sweet little embellishments that have me thinking spring and wishing I had even a single headband in my collection. Well, I found a tutorial that just might help me (and you) out - DesignMom gives us an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to make a sweet flowery headband that's sure to compliment all your modest spring outfits.

Modestify Your Prom: Episode 1

Love a prom dress that isn't perfectly modest? Don't worry, you have options. Here's a dress worthy for prom, with a plethora of additions that would make it worthy for you. My favorites? The metallic ruffle shrug and the red willow top (to be worn under the dress, of course). Bonus- if you like what you see here, most of these combinations would end up costing you less than 100 dollars. Being modest isn't as difficult as you thought, huh?

Post Options
You Have Options - by CherryTree84 on Polyvore.com

Creating a Modest Wardrobe with Polyvore

Wow, I just found a site that is way too addictive, though definitely worth it. Polyvore.com lets you search through hundreds of different fashion elements - shirts, skirts, dresses, jeans, shoes, accessories, everything you can dream of - and choose your favorites to arrange in various artful creations. You can choose clothes from just certain sites or you can browse the web finding anything and everything. It's the ultimate window shopping experience. Then if you find something you really like and actually want to own, it actually links you up with the site that sells that item of clothing and you can just... buy it. Neat huh?

Here's one of my creations - a modest outfit put together for the happily pregnant me. Of course, I can't afford most of the stuff I chose, but I figure I can use it for inspiration when sewing or actually shopping. Check out what I made, then go make your own. :)


Preggie Pretty - by CherryTree84 on Polyvore.com

Whoa-Resources

Sorry for the lack of postage lately - big things have been going on in the personal life department. Biggest news - we found out we're having a boy! We are so excited to welcome our little boy into the world, I can't believe I still have to wait five months. (Saying phrases like "our little boy" "my son" - wow, that gives such a thrill.)
In other not-so-big news I am getting a serger soon and the anticipation is killing me. I am really looking forward to playing with this new machine and having more options for making my own (modest) clothing. Hopefully there will be some fun tutorials/giveaways coming up.

But back to the modestifying stuff. I was going link crazy today and found some pretty neat things. Started out on Meal Planning Mommies (which for you cooks out there, mommies or not, is an amazing resource), then skipped from there over to Joy in Every Step, and from there to The Stay-at-Home Missionary (both extremely uplifting blogs), who led me to Beautifully Adorned (now we're getting into the fashion stuff), who finally led me to The Modest Fashion Bloggers Network. There you have it. The site provides links to blogs focusing on modest fashions and promoting modesty and femininity. They also have a shopping list of sites that provide modest fashions and information about events going on in the world of modest fashion. So go check it out and enjoy!