How to Choose the Perfect Homecoming Dress

Shop at the Right Time

Homecoming might occur in autumn when the temperatures have cooled, and the air is crisp. However, you don’t have to wait until the leaves start to fall to shop for your dress! In fact, waiting until the last minute could leave you scrambling to find something at the last minute, so it’s always best to start early.

For the best and biggest selection, begin your hunt for the perfect homecoming dress a few months before the big date, around June or July, if possible. Without the stress of an upcoming deadline, you’ll feel less anxious and can truly enjoy the search.

Set a Budget

You don’t want to get your heart set on a new homecoming dress only to discover that it’s priced far higher than you can comfortably afford.
Before you start your search, take the time to create a quick homecoming budget. In addition to your dress, also think about anything else you’ll need to buy for the dance, such as:

• Shoes
• Handbag
• Jewelry
• Other accessories
• Hair and makeup
• Manicure and pedicure

Estimate how much each one will cost, and then factor in how much you can spend on your dress. This way, you’ll have some boundaries set in mind as you shop.

Visit Small Boutiques

When you think about formalwear, your mind might immediately go to some of the well-known national chain stores. While these can have solid selections, they’re far from your only options.
This year, consider shopping at small boutiques instead of heading straight to the mall. Not only can you snag some great deals, but you’ll also support a local, growing business.
Another perk? You’re far less likely to show up in the same dress as someone else when you skip the racks at the department store and choose a boutique stunner instead.
Boutique dresses are unique, eye-catching, and filled with special details that you can’t find anywhere else.
Check out our homecoming dress collection at Amarra for inspiration! From stone accents and intricate beading to lace overlays and rhinestone embellishments, we have it all.

Choose Your Dress Style

No one knows your personal style better than you. As you sort through all of the available dresses, keep your preferences in mind. For instance, you might have a particular color, shape, or style that you naturally favor over another.

You may find that you feel the most comfortable sticking with a look that’s familiar to you. Or, you may decide that this year’s homecoming dance is the perfect opportunity to step a little bit outside of your comfort zone and rock a dress that you love but wouldn’t normally gravitate toward. This might mean choosing a color that’s a little bolder than you usually wear or reaching for one with a dramatic feature, like a low back.

Either way, make sure it’s one that you can move out and about. The dress must make you feel like the most confident and proud version of yourself. Going a new route is always exciting, but you should still feel like you.

At Amarra, we have a wide selection of homecoming dresses for you to shop, in many different styles.

Looking for a stunning twist on the little black dress? Check outAmarra 87146, a one-shoulder fitted beauty with a whimsical floral motif along the neckline. Adorned in small, shimmering crystals, the dress also showcases three crystal-embellished straps in the back for an unexpected pop of color.

For a skirt that flares out a little more, check outAmarra 23233. This short, electric blue cocktail dress is super fun, made in a glittering jersey fabric that’s as comfortable as it is beautiful.

These are only two examples of the exclusive homecoming dresses you’ll find at our boutique. You can shop our full collection online to find the perfect one for you!

Not sure what your personal style looks like? You can hop on social media platforms like Pinterest to search for inspiration. You can also browse ourInstagram page to see photos of our dresses in real life! This is a great way to visualize the fit and style of each piece, so you can envision how it will look on your special day.

Know Your Body Shape

When you dress to complement your body shape, you can be confident that you’ll look great and feel your best all night long. However, this can be easier said than done.

Did you know that there are around 10 different body shapes? To make matters more difficult, many of them are described as fruits, so it isn’t always easy to understand which one applies to you.

This guide breaks down the most common body shapes, as well as clothing styles that look the best on each frame. Every shape is beautiful and deserves to be celebrated proudly, so once you find yours, look for a dress that shows it off!

Accessorize to Pull It All Together

Once you’ve chosen the ideal homecoming dress, don’t stop there! Look for accessories that highlight its best features and bring the entire look together. This might mean a dazzling tiara, a dainty clutch, or a show-stopping necklace.
Let your dress guide you, and look for ways to play up its best features. For instance, a chunky cuff looks gorgeous with a one-shoulder dress, highlighting your bare arm and adding a sense of balance. If your dress is strapless or has spaghetti straps, a vivid choker draws the eye upward and can complement a sweeping updo.

Again, you can use Pinterest boards and social media to see examples of homecoming looks to inspire your creativity!