Going to the prom in style

Troubles of high school life threaten to get the best of students as the second-to-the-last month of the school year sets in. Even the one big night you’re supposed to spend partying and having fun can turn into an incredibly stressful event. Don’t let the pressure get the best of you.

 

Be it logistical, financial or creative, your big prom dress problem has a solution – many, in fact. And if you’re a guy looking for a smart suit, you can read on as well because there’s something here for you too. Don't beat modistas 'til you try them

 

Depending on your budget, there are a lot of tailors, seamstresses or modistas who can sew the outfit of your dreams together. Some will even help you out if you have no idea what you want.

 

Parañaque-based designer Jennifer Fernandez advises that “you should always be open to your designers as to who you are.”

 

For most tailors, like Juanito Castro, even a picture will suffice. Apart from being easy to work with, the master cutter and sole owner of Toppers on Katipunan Ave., with 40 years of experience under his belt, promises quality.

 

“Hindi lang basta-basta," he says, as he speaks about the art of making suits.

 

For the gentleman in search of fine couture, this is one good place to go. The starting price for a full suit at Toppers is P7,500.

 

For ladies there seem to be a lot more options, and at cheaper rates too. Kamuning Market in Quezon City, nicknamed “the tela market,” is full of fabric shops and a variety of tailors ready to take on whatever design you might have in mind.

 

At Centeno’s, you can have a full gown made for as low as P3,500. Myra Centeno, their designer, also sells her own gowns here, which range from P5,000 to P10,000. Similar tailors, fabric shops and boutiques can be found in the markets of Baclaran and Divisoria.

 

RTW can be made to work

 

Another option, which is usually cheaper and more convenient, is buying a dress off the racks. The only thing you compromise here is uniqueness, since you might end up wearing the same thing as another girl (this has happened before).

 

If you plan to go for RTW, choose wisely. And as an additional tip, it doesn’t hurt to ask the salesperson if someone has already purchased the piece you’re interested in.

 

If you can set aside the singularity issue, there are plenty of boutiques that offer gorgeous prom-ready pieces. A good starting point is the department store.

 

SM, Landmark, and Rustan’s each have their sections of formal wear with an impressive selection that’s sure to have something for you. For local designs, Myth at Greenbelt 5 has some truly stunning pieces from the likes of Ivarluski Aseron, Jojie Lloren and Joey Samson.

 

Big, foreign retailers like Zara and Mango are also good places to look. Their pieces are a lot more versatile, although definitely not as detailed. Nevertheless, a plain, well-fitting dress can be just as stunning as something embellished and made-to-order. Accessorize away to make it truly your own.

 

Rent, revamp, recycle

 

The last options, which are often overlooked, are revamping and rentals. Revamping, of course, involves taking what you already have and spicing it up.

 

“Yung mga damit na nandiyan. . .pwede actually i-recycle,” says veteran stylist Olen Lim in a segment on GMA News. Beadwork can be added to plain clothes, while other garments can be readjusted to fit a new style, perhaps by shortening or changing the cut.

 

 

For guys, tuxedo rentals are a popular option, with good reason. Stafford Collections in Kamuning Market, well-known for its quality suits, has a “first use” offer which allows clients to have a custom design made for one-time use.

 

“Makasigurado sa sukat at. . .para makatipid sila,” says Rey Dinglasan, the master cutter and owner of the shop.

 

After depositing the full amount for a suit (which is about P5,000), a customer can opt to return the top and get reimbursed for half the amount paid. The blazer tops are then rented out by the shop for as low as P650 for three to four days.

 

Good gown rental shops are hard to come by these days, but there are certain treasures to be found if you look hard enough. One such gem is situated along Quezon Ave. and headed by designer Noel Naz.

 

Gown Station has literally thousands of dresses in all cuts, colors and fabrics (they also have suits — although not as colorful or varied). A-line gowns can be rented for as low as P500 and go up to P1,500, while ball gowns with petticoats are a bit more expensive at P1,000 to P3,000. Still, these are definitely cheaper than most options.

 

If you’re concerned about being unique (since these dresses have already been worn by at least one other girl before you tried it on), they also have a first-use offer which allows you to have a gown custom-made for as low as P3,000 up to P20,000, depending on the materials. You can even get 50% of the total amount back when you return the gown after using it.

 

Be contemporary and personalize

 

This prom season, the slim-fitting Italian cut is popular among the guys, while most girls seem to be partial to sheers and mullet skirts.

 

Color-wise, black is very in for both sexes. Stylist Olen Lim advises that guys should always “go dark.” While according to designer Noel Naz, bold contrasts “like Katy Perry” are a good way to go for girls.

 

"Makintab... masikip at maikli ang uso ngayon," predicts designer Myra Centeno.

 

Fashion design student Zoe Laurente says, “People are probably going to go for a more sleek and polished look. Not so heavy on the embellishments.”

 

If you’re confused now, just keep in mind that dressing your age and keeping true to yourself are the most important things to consider. Designers and fashionistas across the metro will agree with Myra Centeno when she says "Panindigan kung kaaya-aya o katawa-tawa ang napiling suotin.” 

 

What really matters is how you wear it, and how much you enjoy the prom. – KDM/KG, GMA News