How many of us have grown up listening to the Cinderella story? All hands up! Yep that’s many. You can still see little girls go starry eyed every time Cinderella walks down the steps to the ball room in her glass sandals and golden, glittering gown. Truth is, ball gowns are the fantasy of every girl. To make our own little fairytales come true, a glamorous ball gown is essential.

Selecting the right thing to wear for that special occasion you have been looking forward to all year round is not a task to be taken lightly. One important thing you must keep in mind when choosing a ball gown is that going trendy or funky with the style you pick is not going to work. With a ball gown, conformity to certain traditions is a must otherwise the essence of the whole ball gown concept will be lost. It should be different from an evening dress. The way to do it is to focus on the cut. A ball gown must be shaped in a large bell-ed bottom. This is one inflexible rule of ball gowns. However, you can experiment with the bodice.

Is it the Scarlett O’Hara look you crave for that brings the Civil War and the society of those days alive to you? This shows you want to create the impression of both prosperity and sophistication. If that’s what you want then you must pay close attention to the material of your dress. Go for silk or flowing chiffons. Designer-made gowns either have the whole gown in the same material or they experiment with different materials for the bodice and the skirt.

However, to make truly vintage gowns, designers go for satin. If you want to add a little of your individuality to the gown, you can try out different kind of fabrics. To take a diversion from the classic, you can add a touch of the contemporary fashion by using materials that are synthetically made. For instance, fabrics that use silk thread weaved together with polyester give a metallic shimmer that is very chic and modern. To enhance the dips and curves in your dress make sure you go for a clear, shiny fabric.

The beautiful elegance that any elegant lady longs for in her ball gown also depends on the cut of the gown. This again is dictated by your choice of going classical or contemporary. Classical ball gowns are more often than not off the shoulder, with cap sleeves and a sash. These set off full figures with apparent curves to their maximum advantage. These gowns are generally tied at the back with laces or have buttons instead of zips. The bodice is embellished with embroidery and the likes.

Contemporary ball gowns suit petite or slender women. These use zippers at the back. The bodice is designed like a tank top that has spaghetti straps. This modern design tends to be unsuitable for women with full figures but is great for setting off the figures of slender, smaller women. Sashes made from artificial furs are also used sometimes and contrast well with the smooth fabric of the gown.

So whatever the style, ball gowns are an important part of a girl’s wardrobe and her dreams of a happily-ever-after.