They have a great blog where you can flick through some ideas and start building a picture of what you want your formal dresses to look like. This means flicking through some magazines, checking out Pinterest or some formal dresses blogs. You want to know which style of dress you want. Certain gowns will complement and bring out your best features or curves. They also work to balance out the body so areas where you may be heavier, it will even things out to create a balanced overall look.

Thinking about which colors you love isn't enough. You want to ensure the color of dress you choose also complements your complexion. For example, there are certain rules you should be aware of when it comes to dress shopping such as never wear a shade close to your own. Depending on whether you have a dark, medium or fair skin tone you will find certain shades will suit more than others. Find the colors that make you glow and you will be onto a winner when choosing a formal dresses.

Face shape is particularly important when thinking about the neckline of the dress you're choosing. For instance, oval face shapes will be able to suit a range of necklines whereas someone with a round shape may need to look for V-necks to elongate the face. Keep these tips in mind to lock down the best formal dress code for your prom. How you are really going to crack the formal code and find the ultimate dress for you is by shopping in-line with your body shape.

It will help to start making your own collage/scrap book of ideas and highlighting where the best places to purchase a certain style may be. It's good to get started with this stage from around four months before your prom date. This gives you plenty of time to get to know what you want and what you don't.