Most importantly, don't forget to wear your smile!

The Top Homecoming Dress Trends of 2012

The countdown to Homecoming has begun! Are you searching for that breathtaking Homecoming dress? Still trying to find Homecoming dresses that are stylish and fit you to perfection? Don't despair, there's plenty of time left before that memorable evening arrives. When you start your quest for the Homecoming dress of the season, you'll want a frock that is unique, well-fitting, comfortable and trendy.

Homecoming dresses are not quite as formal as their prom counterparts, and you'll have a little more wiggle room when it comes to choosing trendy styles and shorter lengths. Luckily, the fall trends for 2012 have produced some unbelievably gorgeous gowns - both fashionable and with plenty of personality to match your own.

Elegant Homecoming Dresses: Mermaid Gowns

Homecoming dresses with a "mermaid" shape are named for their striking resemblance to a mermaid tail. This type of Homecoming dress is form-fitting and tightly hugs curves in all the right places, with the skirt dramatically flaring either at or slightly below the panina wedding dresses knee. These stunning statement dresses are often crafted in the strapless design, and flatter most body types beautifully. Girls with more voluptuous shapes will appreciate this Homecoming dress' tendency to flaunt the curves of an hourglass figure. Likewise, mermaid gowns enhance curves in slimmer, athletic builds, while emphasizing a small waist - creating an attractive silhouette.

When wearing this Homecoming dress, you'll want to choose your undergarments carefully in order to prevent this form-fitting gown from revealing more than you'd like! Mermaid gowns are a glamorous, couture choice for Homecoming dresses - and they'll show off your good taste, elegance and flair for the dramatic.

Asymmetrical Embellishments

The embellished one-shoulder dress is a glamorous red-carpet look, guaranteed to make a Homecoming dress unforgettable. This chic design element works well for longer, classic gowns, as well as short, funky Homecoming dresses. The thought of maintaining a strapless Homecoming dress throughout a night of dancing can seem daunting, but the one-shoulder dress solves this problem - it has the same designer appeal as a strapless gown, but adds comfort and security. This superb style is a very flattering choice, drawing the eye upward, toward the neck and upper body. Take your time when you're looking for one-shoulder Homecoming dresses, as it can be difficult to find the perfect fit. Search for an attractive fit for your body that makes you feel as beautiful as you truly are.

When completing your asymmetrical Homecoming look, try to stay away from flashy jewelry, because it distracts from the unique, embellished neckline. Instead, opt for simple accents, and perhaps style your hair into a sleek up-do, ensuring that your outfit enhances your natural beauty instead of overpowering it.

Prints and Patterns

A hot trend for fall 2012, the printed Homecoming dress is an eye-catching, bold expression of your unique style. The forgiving nature of a printed gown flatters nearly every body-type, but it's still important to find one that fits well. When you wear one of these uniquely-patterned gowns, you won't just walk into the dance, you'll make an entrance.

Printed Homecoming dresses offer a wide array of stunning options for self-expression. For a sweet, flowing look, pick a flowered chiffon gown in soothing pastels. Or if your style is a little more on the wild side, consider a dress with cheetah or zebra print accents. Either way, a printed Homecoming dress is sure to make you stand out on the dance floor.

Earth Tones

This autumn, earthy, muted hues are trs elegant, and Homecoming dresses are no exception. The Pantone Fashion Color Report for fall 2012 features many earthy-based tones which would be perfectly suited for your gown. Some shades to watch include Ultramarine Green (a calming, deep blue-green), Rose Smoke (a dusty, veiled pink), French Roast (a sophisticated, espresso brown) and Rhapsody (an ethereal, muted lavender).

Especially flattering for girls with warmer skin tones, these colors provide an excellent opportunity to set your Homecoming dress black and white wedding dresses apart from the sea of bright, neon-colored gowns on the dance floor.

The LWD - Little White Dress

To balance out that LBD (little black dress) hanging in your closet, the Little White Dress makes for a breezy, effortlessly elegant Homecoming dress. While shopping, it's important to make sure that you don't purchase a gown with transparent fabric. Make sure the gown is well-lined, although wearing skin-colored undergarments is still a good idea. Go for a longer hemline to create a classic look, or purchase a shorter dress with a fun and flirty attitude. Worn at any length, the white fabric of these Homecoming dresses is very appealing for most skin tones and body types. (And you can wear it throughout September, too!)

One of the perks of a cute LWD is that it can be found in nearly any style you might dream up, and it can be combined easily with another 2012 fall Homecoming dress trend: use stunning, bold and colorful accessories to turn your LWD into a stylish statement. Try pairing Pantone Fall 2012 colors together - such as Rose Smoke heels with Ultramarine Green bangles and earrings to spice up white dresses. Wear the Little White Dress to show off your unconventional fashion-sense and you'll be sure to turn heads!

Love Your Look

Try not to set your heart on one particular trend before you've explored all your options for dresses - this can be difficult to do! Not every girl will look her best in a mermaid- or asymmetrical-style dress. But with the great variety of this fall's fashionable styles and designs, you're sure to find trendy dresses that suit your personality.

When you're trying on dresses, keep in mind that you'll have a much better time if you're comfortable and confident. A dress that seems a little loose or tight in the dressing room is only going to become more irritating on the dance floor. And with the wide array of gorgeously-crafted dresses that are trendy this year, there's no reason to be uncomfortable. True, it will take time to find the dress, but consider the memories you'll make while wearing it - it will be worth the wait.

Most importantly, don't forget to wear your smile!

Daring Prom Dresses Picking One That Best Suits You

Prom dresses say a lot about their wearers. Hundreds of girls every year buy prom dresses, and many of them choose safe options that are very similar to the style of everyone else. Dare to be different and step away from the traditional prom dresses and opt for bolder, more unique designs.

Color plays an important role when browsing through the many prom dresses available. While black is a good sensible choice, why not explore a more unusual color to stand out from the crowd? If you have never tried on prom dresses in unusual colors then you might be surprised at how flattering they can be. Experiment with some bold colors to see which one suits your skin tone. Bright, burnt orange colors look particularly great on darker skin tones and will make sure you are the center of attention in a sea of drab pastels and colorless black gowns.

Super modern colors such as hot pink and electric blue are also great choices, especially if you have an outgoing, exuberant personality to match these vibrant colors. You definitely would not want to fade into the background in pale, wishy washy tones! Wow everyone with vivid colors and make sure your prom dress is the one that everyone will remember for years to come.

On the other hand, opting for white prom dresses can also help you to stand out from the rest of the girls on prom night. While many prom dresses are dark and somber colors, crisp, bright white prom dresses dazzle and draw all eyes towards you. Combine a white colored prom dress with a figure hugging cut to make sure you look celebrity-stunning rather than hinting at wedding bells. Bandage dresses are all the rage right now, so if you have got it flaunt it. White always looks elegant, so even the most sexually suggestive of dress styles will look tasteful if it is in white.

You can also make a statement with the cut of your gown. Cast aside short tight homecoming dresses modern, slim line prom dress designs in favor of full billowing skirts and flowing trains. Prom dresses with plenty of ruched layers of fabric and a princess cut shape ensure a dramatic entrance worthy of royalty. Ball gown style prom dresses are big and spectacular, and ideal for anyone who wants to get noticed.

Details and embellishments are a great way to make a statement for prom dresses, and if you want to be amore daring, make sure they are not understated. Forget subtle, dainty daisy details and look for prom dresses with bouquets of large, beautiful flowers. Fabric roses and peonies have been seen a lot on the catwalks recently, so take the plunge and join the trend. The bigger the better. Prom dresses with sparkling diamante and shimmering sequin decorations will also add some glitter to your look.

If you are looking for daring prom dresses, make sure you consider the above tips in order to make your entire purchase a success. It pays to seek help from online options that guarantee fashion tips as well as undeniably beautiful designs to choose from.