Spring/Summer Fashion and Prom 2009

Want to really make your wardrobe shine this spring? Let those sparkling sequins and shimmering satins see the light of day. Don't save them for a night out on the town -- it's time to dazzle all day long. Tia Cibani, creative director for Ports 1961, takes a shine to all fashion that glows in her spring collection, complete with shifts in lame fabrics, sequined jackets and patent belts.

Whether it's organic, earth-friendly or even vegan, purchasing apparel that is kind to the environment and animals is becoming increasingly popular. "When we started our Green Business Network back in 1983, only a handful of companies offered organic clothing," said Todd Larsen of Green America, a not-for-profit membership group based in Washington, D.C. "We now have well over 150 companies within the Green Business Network that offer green clothing." Joy Zakarian, owner of All Vegan in San Diego, which carries vegan attire, bags and shoes, sees the ties between being earth-friendly and promoting an animal-cruelty free world.

You need more than a pretty dress, stylish shoes and glittery accessories to make a fashion statement this spring and summer -- particularly if you're headed to a prom, beach outing or other social event. Without a good haircut and styling to go with it, a breezy day, heat or humidity can undo your new look in a matter of minutes.

Each time the fashion world enters another Age of Aquarius, the signs of the times are usually much the same as they were decades ago when peace was guiding the planets and love was steering the stars -- we see flowers in all their power, feathers flying, colors tripping and beads flowing. This year, the moon is rising over a whole new generation who are letting the sun shine in with updated takes on old favorites.

A struggling economy doesn't mean you can't look like a million dollars. The key, regardless of your bank balance, is to build a wardrobe around pieces that won't go out of style. Timeless fashions can literally be worn forever. Cuts, patterns, cuffs and hems do slowly change over time, but with a few basics in your closet, you can be appropriately attired every time you step out of the house. Image consultants around the globe agree that a few standards form the basis of a chic wardrobe that will withstand the tug-of-war between longevity and vogue.

The self-made man often needs help dressing himself. Fortunately, there are many options to make his clothing into his own personal style. It isn't really that men aren't capable of making good choices, according to Esquire magazine's features editor Richard Dorment. "Men sometimes approach fashion with trepidation," he said. "In the late '70s and '80s, fashion became synonymous with feminine chic."

If you want to get the most bang for your fashion buck, then you might want to explore your local vintage store. Former fashion model Alison Houtte has always worn vintage, even when she didn't call it that. As the youngest of six kids with her dad making $150 a week, the Miami native said she was "automatically forced into shopping at the Salvation Army."

One of the greatest contributions to fashion by the legendary Coco Chanel, the little black dress, or LBD for short, is an all-inclusive term for that one item necessary in every woman's wardrobe. Just like all the women who have one in their closet, it comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and details. Fortunately, finding the one that works best for you isn't as hard as you might think.

The dress, pants or jacket might be the centerpiece of a new outfit, but it's the accessories that personalize an ensemble and infuse it with style and flair. They can also dress up favorite pieces, disguise figure flaws and help a person create the best look possible. "Accessories create a focal point that tells a viewer where to look -- at asset areas and away from challenge areas," said Nancy Nix-Rice, author of the image classic "Looking Good: Wardrobe Planning and Personal Style Development" ($20, Palmer/Pletsch Publishing) and the new DVD program, "Looking Good -- Live!"

If you have to kick off your shoes to dance the night away, they're probably too tight, too high or too short. The same applies to fitting into those spaghetti-strap stiletto-heeled sandals that seemed oh-so-perfect with that sleeveless spring shift or floral summer mini you've been eyeing. "Even if the style looks fabulous, if it's uncomfortable when you try it on, there's a high probability it's only going to get worse," said Anne Crays, merchandising and fashion forecasting vice president for shoebuy.com.

It's that one special night at the end of one special year. The conclusion of high school marks a teenager's passage into adulthood, and the prom is part of the closing ritual. Feeling and looking your best is essential to having a great time. But what to wear? The options are vast. Whether you want to spend a little or a lot, create a do-it-yourself vintage gown or go all-out glam, there are many ways to show off your most stylin' self.

You want to stand out, but you also want to be comfortable. You want to look great, but also look like yourself. How do you do it all while showing your best face at the prom? Start by thinking about your overall look. What will best compliment your dress? Flirty, cat's eyes go with a retro look, while smoldering eye liner accent a body-skimming sheath.

Each spring, the high school prom, often a teenager's first formal affair and a guaranteed lifelong memory, brings with it anticipation as well as angst. Now, as it has been for decades, having a date to the event is the chief concern for many of the potential participants.. In America, this rite of passage had its beginnings about 100 years ago in formal teenage dances intended to instill social skills in young people.

Junior and senior proms are among the most highly anticipated events of high school. Yet some situations can become a manners minefield. Watch your step, or you could wind up stomping on someone's heart or even blowing a lifelong friendship to smithereens. You certainly wouldn't do it intentionally, but sometimes you can't avoid sticky situations -- like when Mr. Terrific calls mere minutes after you agreed to go with Mr. Nobody Special. Is there any way to avoid dating drama?

The budget for a high school prom doesn't just include a festive gown, rented tux and dance tickets anymore. On top of those items, there's the limo, dinner, corsage, makeup, hair and shoes to be considered, too. A boy will need about $100 for the tux rental and flowers and an additional $300 if sharing the cost for the limo and dinner with his date, according to Scott Chodorow, advisor for the Associated Student Body at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego.

It's time to ditch the worn-out denim and ratty old t-shirts. Prom is just around the corner, and you're going to need a hot tux if you plan to make a good impression. First things first: The gown takes priority. Your date's dress will, for the most part, dictate the tuxedo you choose. Don't panic. Your gal may be eyeing a bold fuchsia number, but that doesn't mean you'll be stuck with a hot pink vest and tie. Matching ensembles aren't mandatory -- creating a cohesive and complimentary look is the goal.

Your junior or senior prom doesn't have to break the bank. Here are some ideas on having a stylish affair without spending a fortune.

According to a report by the NPD Group, Inc., as a woman ages, she tends to accentuate her cheeks and lips and downplay her eyes.

Here's a look at the trends for the top three cosmetic surgical procedures from 2000 to 2007.