Schools

Hot Dresses, Classic Tuxes Top Prom Dress Code

Union County students are primping for the prom. The girls are searching for the perfect dress, while the guys look to add a little flair to their formal wear.

Nick Roth's friends dared him to wear a purple tux to the prom. When that didn't work, they went for something more subtle — a top hat.

"Could I try one on?" Roth asked from behind a fitting room door last week at Tuxedos by Cozy in Westfield. "I would wear it."

"I know you would," his mom, Grace, said with a laugh, "but it's for purchase only."

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Nick, a senior at Westfield High School, didn't seem to mind, opting instead for the classic black tux and bow tie. Store owner Genevieve Zimmerman said the boys who come into her shop around prom season have lots of big ideas, but most settle on the traditional look.

Some of the girls, however, say they're ready for trendy looks, which this year means strapless gowns with a slit up the leg. To prove her point, Springfield resident Tara Strober said she's looking for a dress that's "vivacious and hot."

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Strober was browsing in Nordstrom's at the Mall at Short Hills last week, looking for something in green. She had help; her friend and fellow Jonathan Dayton High School junior, Rachel Zolotarsky — who'd already found her gown — was there for moral support. Zolotarsky purchased a long black gown. She said she'll be adding a pearl necklace to complement Dayton's prom theme, "Classic Hollywood."

Both Springfielders wore short dresses to the prom last year when they attended as sophomores. This year, they want to wear something long and elegant.

Jamila Pasha at Sak's Fifth Avenue said the elegant look is in this year, adding that many prom-dress shoppers have been looking for white gowns with a sweetheart neckline.

"It's a mix between the goddess look with the empire waist, but some girls are looking for a bit more of the racier pieces, the cutouts," Pasha said. "The glitz and the crystal is a constant. Color has been big for us this year too."

Whether short or long, simple silk chiffon or beaded glitz and glam, one dream never goes out of style— no two girls want to show up at the big dance wearing the same dress.

That's why at Mademoiselle in Westfield, store owner Mitchell Mankin registers the dresses so girls who buy at his shop can be sure there will be no duplicates. Mankin keeps hard-to-decipher handwritten notes on yellow legal pads about each customer and the dress she purchased.

From $50 to several hundred dollars, girls from across Union County come to his Westfield shop for personal attention and one-of-a-kind dresses.

Olivia Kolodka, a senior at the Academy of Holy Angels in Demarest, did just that after trips to the mall didn't yield anything unique.

She looked for small community dress shops and found Mademoiselle, where she bought a long satin gown with a sash and spaghetti straps in a color called "spiced tulip."

"I wish we had come here first," Olivia said while admiring her prom gown in the mirror.

For the guys, prom shopping has always been a breeze. Just a quick visit to the rental shop, a few quick measurements and they're prom-worthy.

At Dave's Formal Wear in Springfield, owner David Steel says guys are opting for novelty vests in animal prints to give their tuxes a little extra flair.

"As far as tuxedos go, the guys want more of a trim fit," store owner David Steel said. "They want it to fit tighter, flat front pants, more narrow leg, closer to the body — more of a European look. ...I notice the guys are a little shorter than their dates this year and they are asking for shoes with bigger heels. The girls in Springfield are tall this year."

If the European look is in in Springfield, the classic look is in in Westfield.
Despite his request for something a little more flashy, Nick Roth said he's fine with the traditional look.

"It's not as big a deal for guys as it is for girls," Roth said, adding that his girlfriend still has yet to pick out a dress.

If she goes for something purple, Roth might want to think twice about taking up that dare.


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