Miranda Soloff, wore a sleek, simple dress to the last formal she attended.
For this year's prom, the 17-year-old Lakeside High School junior is going with a more dramatic look, an aqua dress with leopard print.
"I wanted a dress that has a design that stood out," she said.
A lot of the trendy dresses for this prom season have been outside the box, according to Lisa Kesterson, the prom coordinator for David's Bridal in Augusta.
Unexpected combinations such as zebra print with a lime-green sash, or new colors, such as watermelon, have hit the racks.
Mermaid shapes and slinky cuts are other trends, Ms. Kesterson said.
Karah Koellner, 16, a Lakeside junior, said she noticed florals and animal prints but few monochromatic dresses when she was shopping for her dress. She found hers, a halter style in mauve with a splash of gold, in Atlanta two weeks ago.
At Brittany's House of Elegance in Martinez, owner Charlene Bagwell has seen a vast variety of prom styles.
"This year, it's just like anything goes," she said.
A trend she has noticed is short, formal party dresses.
"They look like a short ball gown," she said.
It was a trend that Karah noticed when looking for prom dresses.
"Definitely, long and short are both in," she said.
Ms. Kesterson recommends trying on a variety of styles to find the perfect one.
"They don't know if it's going to be a ball gown or a slinkier cut," she said.
Ms. Bagwell said girls sometimes come in with an idea of a dress, but may find something different.
"You just have to try them on," she said.
Ms. Kesterson recommends that girls who haven't already found a dress start shopping now to allow time for alterations and ordering.
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
Prom Time
Here's what two schools are planning this year for their proms:
George P. Butler High School
Theme: Tonight, Tonight
When: April 18
Location: The Boathouse
Traditions: Prom king, queen, prince and princess
Cost: $10 for seniors, $65 for juniors
Planners: The junior council is responsible for the planning, which started the third week of school
Sources: Tasherrie Morgan, the secretary of the junior class council; Lynell Lawrence, the president
Evans High School
Theme: Masquerade
When: April 18
Location: School common and gym
Traditions: In the past, proms have been at Savannah Rapids Pavilion or the North Belair Conference Center. Space and free rein for decorations, however, made the school a more attractive option, committee Chairman Matt Robinson said. "It's bringing back a lot of the traditions, bringing it back at Evans," Matt said.
Tickets: $35
Planners: Juniors serve on a prom committee
Sources: Matt Robinson, a chairman of the prom committee; Sierra Vennes, a committee member
Share your prom
15 Words of Fame: What's your best or worst prom memory? Share it with other readers at chronicle.augusta.com/xtreme/15words.
Quirky Prom: Are you making your own prom dress? Arriving on scooters? If you're planning a unique prom, we want to hear about it. E-mail your plan, along with contact info, to sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com, or call (706) 823-3223.
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