The long and short of prom

If you don't first succeed, try, try again.

That's the philosophy girls employ during their search for the perfect prom dress.

"They don't know until they try it on," said Tom Buchanan at Bella Boutique, a Knoxville, Tenn., store. "On average, the girls try on more than 10 dresses. When they find the right one, you can see it in their faces."

Right now across the country, girls are piling into dressing rooms, slipping in and out of the latest evening gowns. Some have been doing this since the beginning of the year.

One style that has girls excited and shopping is the short dress.

"From now and for the next couple of years, it's going to get stronger and stronger," said Melanie Bilbrey at Classy Lady in Knoxville, which has an annex dedicated to formal wear. "I think it appeals to the older girl who has done the pouffy, who has done the slinky dress. They want to do something a little different. They're really cute, but they can be sophisticated, so they can wear them later at a sorority."

Buchanan has noticed interest in the abbreviated look as well.

"Almost every manufacturer has a short dress in its line," he said. "This dress is about fun and flash. It's flirty. It's trendy."

Although popular, the short dress still can't hold a candle to the classic long frock. "When it comes down to it, she wants to look like a princess," Buchanan said. "A long dress does that."

Many customers want the sleek look of a Hollywood star on the red carpet and go with sleek, straight-cut gowns. They tend to get their inspiration from the high-fashion couture gowns donned on Oscar night.

Trends include sweetheart necklines, plunging backs, one-shoulder looks, halters and high necks. For the skirts, flattering A-lines rule. Also out there are splashy mermaid or trumpet skirts that billow below the knees, skirts with revealing leg slits and slimming pleated skirts.

A silhouette that seems to be experiencing a bit of a resurgence is the ball gown with its dramatic full skirt. "Pouffies have been magnificent," Buchanan said. "It's the Cinderella dress."

Whether a ball gown or a sleek number, color is key. This season, the palette boasts must-have brights, such as lemon yellow, lime green, juicy orange and sky blue. Also important are jewel tones: red, royal blue, purple and emerald green.

Can't make up your mind about a color? Try several in a multihued print. Florals are hot, as are animal prints with an unexpected smattering of color.

Sequins, beads and paillettes make the gowns sparkle. Fully sequined gowns are back, but many designers have chosen to accent a fitted bodice or the lowest point of a plunging back with some shine.

Other details include ribbons at an empire waist, rosettes, bows and ruffles.

And, of course, a dress needs accessories. Many experts say the only jewelry you need is a showy pair of sparkling earrings, and maybe a bracelet. A silver shoe works with about 90 percent of the dresses, and the other 10 percent, gold ones. Carry the night's essentials in a chic clutch.