By Danielle Hibberd - Sugar Land Magazine

PROM SECTION
FORT BEND
Trends,
Etiquette,
and Tips
for a
Memorable
Night Out
By Danielle Hibberd
Seniors Jackie Ritz,
Morgan Zimmermann,
and Delaney Neighbors
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Spring is in the air, bringing with it the much-anticipated high
school prom season in Fort Bend. A celebrated part of senior and
junior year, the big event is a time for friends and lovebirds to reflect
on the school days gone by and enjoy an evening of fun, glitz, and
glamour. Much preparation goes into creating that fairytale night
you will always remember. Sugar Land Magazine gives you the
inside scoop on all things prom, including hot trends and proper
etiquette to make your special night memorable and magical.
Inviting Your Date
Finding the perfect date is always one of the hardest parts of the
prom process. So what’s in and what’s out when it comes to proper
prom invitation etiquette? Without hesitation, it’s best for guys to
ask their dates in person. No emails or text messages, please! But
is it okay for the girls to ask the guys? Dulles High School senior
Charlotte Bartula thinks so. “If it’s the guy’s senior prom, he should
ask the girl,” she says. “But if it’s the girl’s senior prom, she should
ask him.”
One Fort Bend prom tradition is to get creative when popping the
big question, just as Levy Ngo’s date did before last year’s prom. “He
had me receive a puzzle piece every class period,” recalls Ngo, then
a Clements High School senior. “And then I came home to a trail of
peppermints leading up to him in a room with flowers and candy!”
Stepping out in Style
When it comes to beautiful gowns, it’s important to find a style and
color that suits your unique personality. Some girls like to shine
with gems and feathers, while others choose simple and elegant
styles. DHS junior Lena Rafeedie says that the trends in dresses this
year are long, bright, and colorful. “Dresses that flow and have an
open back are the way to go,” she says. “Personally, I am not a fan of
dresses that poof out at the bottom.”
No matter what style a girl chooses for her dress, most students
agree that a boy’s tux should be black or white with a vest or tie
that matches his date’s dress. During last year’s senior prom, Ethan
Lester kept it classic. He suggests two-button, single-breast jackets.
“My personal preference is a plain black top and pants with a simple
silver or light-color vest and white shirt,” he says. The same rules
apply for her corsage and his boutonniere. The current trend is to
make sure the flowers and ribbons match her dress color.
The Finishing Touches
So what about hairstyles, nails, makeup and the all-too-important
accessories? Much like the style of dress, a girl’s hairstyle should be
a reflection of her. Many girls think an updo is the way to go, but
DHS senior Laura Balderas thinks the “in” style is down, flowy, and
voluminous. “Curls or waves are popular,” she says.
Nails and makeup need to be on the natural side, according to our
juniors and seniors. And when it comes to accessories, many say it’s
best to keep it simple, especially if the dress is bright or detailed.
Let the Fun Begin
There are a variety of activities for students to take part in before
and after prom. For many, the perfect prom evening kicks off with
taking photos with your date and friends, followed by a nice dinner.
“The popular thing to do before prom is to get your hair, makeup,
and nails done with friends,” shares Bartula. “And after everyone is
finally ready, it’s picture-taking time.”
Dinner Dos and Don’ts
Who picks up the tab at dinner? The old-fashioned trend of the guy
paying the bill is still the most popular way to go. However, many
girls understand just how pricey prom can be, so they’re willing to
do their part. “On any other day, I would say that the boy should
definitely pick up the girl’s dinner tab,” says Rafeedie. “But in this
case, I think the girl and guy should split the cost of dinner, since
the guy has to pay a lot of money for prom tickets.”
Limo Luxury
Of course, the price for prom can rise even more if a limousine is
involved. Here’s a hint: get a group of friends to go in on a limo.
Not only will you have a lot of fun riding to and from the big dance,
but the cost won’t be too bad when it’s split between so many. Party
buses are another popular transportation trend to consider. No
matter how you choose to arrive in style, be sure to book your mode
of transportation early for a good deal and to ensure your night goes
smoothly.
Brittany Bolin,
Tori Cooper,
Kellie Isola, Alyssa
Olvera, and
Delaney Neighbors
prepare for prom
Damian
Barletta
and
Christie
Rodriguez
To advertise, call 281-579-7944 or email [email protected] sugar land magazine • 33
Chris Mason and Sara
Davis travel in style
to the Clements High
School prom
Seniors Tori Cooper,
Alyssa Olvera, and
Colleen Crowley
Clements High School
students gather for photos
before prom
Seniors Rachel Leiby, Delaney
Neighbors, Brittany Bolin, and
Jackie Ritz
Clements senior Levy Ngo with
her prom date Shadi Rafeedie of
Dulles High School
34 • sugar land magazine Visit SugarLandMagazine.com for Fort Bend jobs, events, news and more.
Creating Lasting Memories
When all is said and done, Fort Bend juniors and seniors say it
really doesn’t matter how much money is spent or whose dress is
the most beautiful. What counts are the lasting memories they’ll
make with their best high school friends, celebrating not only their
past accomplishments, but also the exciting days ahead. SLM
DANIELLE HIBBERD is the mom of three boys and can’t even imagine what the
trends will be by the time they attend prom.
Creative Ways to Ask Your Date
• On the big screen at a sporting event
• With a scavenger hunt that ends with a gift and
• the big question
• Decorating your date’s room
• A giant sign displayed in their front yard
• Sending personalized flowers or a cookie bouquet
• A card left on their car
• A personalized, engraved gift
• A newspaper announcement or crossword puzzle
• Have their sibling or friend deliver a gift with
• your invitation
Gowns in rich jewel tones are a
popular choice among Clements
High School teens
To advertise, call 281-579-7944 or email [email protected] sugar land magazine • 35