Holidays are over so you can't go skiing. It's too cold to swim, not the season for tennis, golf may be too expensive, and you've done all you can at the gym.

Time for another favorite winter work-out: trying on prom dresses.

According to an on-line poll by fashion.about.com, 37 percent of 2,058 respondents said they will spend close to $200 on a prom dress, with 20 percent each spending $100 or $300, 7 percent spending $400 and 13 percent spending close to $500. So it's worth spending some time on the investment.

It's not too early to look, as Orangeburg Prep and North High School's proms will be Friday, March 30. Edisto High School's prom is later -- April 28 -- and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High ends its year with the prom set for May 11.

Dresses have hit an all-time high and low this year, says Joyce Williams at Evergreen on Russell Street. Slits up the legs have gone higher and backs and cleavage lower, which isn't good for some young girls, she commented.

Williams says satin is very in, and that gowns are going away from the beaded sequins all the way down, with some still featuring beading at the top.

"Halter tops are also very in," she said, "and the designers are showing a lot of print dresses, but the young girls don't seem to be into it. They're also showing a lot of sheer in the middle."

At Oswald's, Lane Oswald said the skirts of dresses seem to be getting fuller and many are draped, that strapless is definitely in style and that taffeta seems to be coming back. The 2007 colors are much brighter than the classic prom pastel or black, but coppery brown is still hot.

Try on lots of them, even the doubtful ones on the hanger. Look for something with a little extra glamor, but don't over-do big prints, sparkles and jewels, bare skin or stiletto heels that kill. If you don't want to show your arms, use a color-coordinated wrap or a sweet sweater.

Be sure it's the style that says you. Some favorites are:

-- The tiered prairie skirt look of last summer is being designed into refined ballroom skirts and also into "peasant dresses."

-- For this year's red-carpet look, find a one-shoulder Grecian gowns or an empire waist.

-- For maximum re-wearability and a chic and sophisticated look, choose a sleek column or A-line in black.

-- Cute and great for dancing is the hem that's short in the front and longer in the back.

-- Strapless dresses with beading and embroidery around the bust are trendy this year, flatter any figure and don't require a necklace.

-- Dresses with a simple top and a bouffant skirt, especially in pastels, are the classic prom queen dresses and also require very little accessorizing.

-- A shorter (cocktail) dress is something you can wear next year at college parties or for other dressy occasions.

-- A dress with a train, either a duster (a small drape in the back) or a chapel (full-length) train makes for an elegant lady-like look.

-- With a simple sheath dress, you can pull out the stops on the jewelry.

-- Satin or silk dresses that drape well and create curves can be very feminine and sensual. Wear pumps that show some toe cleavage and carry a clutch for a retro look.

Accessories

Carry a beaded or jeweled clutch or little purse. With a boat or halter neck, forget the necklace and wear earrings, bracelets or rings. With a strapless or skinny-strap dress, use a simple choker or drop necklace. With a deep V-neck, wear a long lariat or short choker.

Shoes

Wear flats if comfort is top priority, but heels are more traditional. You can dye pumps to match your dress, or wear shoes that are a different shade of or a complementary color to the color of the dress. Metallic gold or silver go with almost anything (cool colors with silver; warm colors with gold).

If your dress is short, wear low to medium-high heels; for mid-length, go to a kitten or medium-high heel; for ankle length, try mules or backless heels. Open-toe slingbacks or stilettos are best with floor-length gowns.

Source: http://fashion.about.com/cs/teentips/l/blteenpromtips.htm

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