The school formal season will soon be in full swing, so the hunt is on for the perfect gown. Jude Hathaway takes a look at this year's trends.
School formals continue to generate their own distinctive energy.
While most boys are relaxed in their approach to the sartorial, girls tend to put more thought into what to wear.
Definite trends have emerged.
Word from representatives of year 13 at a couple of schools reinforce that they're mainly ''going long'' although there will be those who prefer to wear short dresses.
And there are always those who leave the mainstream trail to tread a confident avant-garde route.
But, no matter the style, girls in their final school year are seeking something special in a gown to mark this significant time.
''Many of us wore short dresses last year but I think this year we will be choosing long gowns. The look is kind of chic and classic and in monotones such as black and white.
"New Zealand designers are really popular, but because these are often really expensive to buy new, girls are looking around to pick up a second-hand dress from their favourite label on websites such as Trade Me,'' said one.
There is a general consensus that bargains can be successfully picked up from ''the huge choice'' of shopping sites online and that making the purchase of a gown this way usually is a safeguard against turning up on the night in the same dress as a couple of others.
''But'', they agreed, ''buying online means the garment's fit can be a bit of a gamble''.
Indeed, it can be so off-target that the dress cannot be salvaged even with professional help.
Another strategy to cushion the cost is to use stores' lay-by plans, then sell the dress online after the formal.
Op shops and upmarket second-hand stores are another option, as is heading to the fabric store.
For those girls who are not among the enviably clever young seamstresses poised for a career in fashion design, there are the dressmakers, mothers or favourite aunts who may just have the time and the talent to tackle the task of creating a stylish dress that has the fit and the looks to eclipse any hot ready-to-wear frock.
Staff of stores such as Spotlight, which has a swathe of fabrics and patterns, see the same trend emerging.
''Most of the patterns the girls are going for are for long dresses, quite fitted in the bodice with slim-line skirts gently gathered at the waist in chiffon and georgette,'' says sales consultant Heather Scarf.
She also mentions those who come in with a design they've sketched on paper that they will make themselves.
''The styles are usually cleverly individualistic and edgy.''
Sun Dean, fashion stylist and part owner of Refined Rig, in Great King St, has drifts of display stands showing off long and short gowns, the slightly gathered skirts falling from bodices often ruched or featuring sequins and beaded detailing.
Because she stocks more than one in the same style Sun is particularly sensitive to girls wanting to achieve their individual looks and makes every effort not to sell the same style of gown to more than one girl from the same school.
If it looks as though there might be a double-up she will suggest to the young customer that she might like the same gown in a different colour or at least a different-coloured sash, which she retails separately.
''Some decide to go with their first choice anyway but I've given them the option,'' she says with a smile.
She points to the wide colour variety this season. Sun is also enjoying the styles that have a modest, demure quality.
''The girls might try on a selection that look good but you know immediately which one is for them when you see that change in demeanour. Suddenly they have all the confidence in the world because they know they look really great.''
At Forever Young, in George St, its in-store and online selections have a similar aesthetic.
The gowns have a simple charm and allure, the bodices tricked with lace or beaded detail, the skirts in monotones falling in soft gathers from the waistline.
''The overall look is quite classic and elegant while there is also a youthful prettiness,'' area manager Karlene Brady says, adding that the beading means that jewellery will be kept to a minimum.
From another display stand she selects a pearl-encrusted bolero that unbuttons at the sides to become a shrug.
She places it over a dress to reinforce the ''pretty-as-a-princess'' look.
The autumn collection at Ruby boutique, in Dunedin, also features fabulous gowns for formals that manager Sasha Barrett describes as ''classic, classy and age appropriate''.
As she points out, those designed on simple lines make way for myriad styling options that allow girls to create their own unique look.
This year Ruby has also introduced a Liam Celebrations collection that includes gowns that are custom-fitted and made to measure in a range of silks, jacquards, cotton lace and crepe.
This is ideal for those who do not have ''cookie-cutter'' figures.
There is, however, the need to plan for a custom-made gown ahead of time as it can take from four to eight weeks.
Inevitably, some girls start planning well out from the event.
Others wait until they go into panic mode to get things sorted.
But where would any school formal be without that little touch of drama?
Tips
Rebecca Thomson, teacher in charge of textiles technology at Otago Girls' High School has a few good tips for girls preparing for the formal.
• Take the opportunity to wear a full-length gown as you don't always get an excuse to dress up like this once you have finished school.
• Make sure garments are the right size. Wear something that can be danced in without fear of seams ripping! It should also not restrict sitting comfortably if there is to be a dinner.
• Those wearing high heels should make sure they have broken them in and practised walking in them before the night.
• Less can be more with accessories.
• It's not about cost or trends but about body shape, colouring and personal style.
