Trends aplenty in picking prom attire

The style for prom season this year seems to be… no particular style. "Some girls prefer the long poofy ones and some like the slim-fitting ones," said Betty Patterson of the Cat's Meow. "Some like them all the way to the floor, some like the glitz. Linda MacKay of Inspirations Ladies Fashions in downtown New Glasgow said printed dresses with flowers, swirls and animal patterns on them are popular this year among the girls. "A lot of the girls are choosing the straight, long, sleeky dress," she said. "We do have short ones in, but they aren't as popular as the long dresses." She said a lot of the dress colours are bright, but some prefer coffee and bronze colours as well. She added tiaras are the accessory of choice for many girls looking to add a little glitz to their gown, but flowers and hair pieces are also popular choices this year. Janelle Heighton of Lyons Brook knew her dress was the perfect the minute she saw it hanging in the store. "It was the first one I tried on," said the Grade 12 student at Northumberland Regional High School. "Mom said I should try on some others and I did, but I chose the first one." Heighton started shopping for her dress in March, but some girls started as early as November of last year, said MacKay. "It's usually in full bloom by January," MacKay said. Heighton estimates she will be spending about $1,000 getting ready for prom which includes her dress, shoes, accessories, hair extensions and transportation to the prom. "I'm not sure how we are getting to the prom," she said. "Some of us were talking about renting a limo and splitting the cost of that. Some grads chipped in and got a bus."