Social Trends

Selecting a stylish and up-to-date dress requires that you stay aware of the latest trends in fashion. Our collection of cocktail and social dresses always reflects the latest runway trends!

Play with Color!

While black is a great classic color for a formal dress, don’t be afraid to play with color. Bright colors are gaining in popularity, and they make the wearer look vibrant and alive. Look at the latest fashions that take color risks. Your style consultant at A Formal Affair will help you find the color that will look best on you.

Be a Print-cess!

This year, print dressses are a unique and beautiful trend! In the past, prints have been limited to a few animal prints and a few florals. This year is different and incredible! The print dresses this season feature antique-y designs in understated colors, modern abstract designs in awesome brights,and pretty and original florals in colors that are right on trend! Check out our boutique soon for the absolute best selection! Even if prints are not for you, remember we have HUNDREDS of dresses!

Experiment with Necklines!

There are so many necklines to choose from! Try something new! Here are some ideas and descriptions.

Bateau: The bateau neckline (or boat neck) is one that closely follows the collarbone. It is a good choice for women who have well proportioned necks and heads, but who wish to present a more conservative appearance. Blouses and dresses with a bateau neck tend to be very blousy and are excellent choices for women who are pear-shaped as the slight widening effect of the neck will help to balance the upper and lower halves of the body, and the dress will usually skim over the problem areas of the lower half.

Sabrina: The Sabrina neckline (called thus because the look was favored by the famous American actress, Audrey Hepburn's, character in the movie of the same name) is basically a wide, shallow, curving neckline that drops to within an inch or two of the collarbone, and extends almost to the shoulders on the sides. It makes an excellent look for women with narrow necks and thin faces, because it makes them appear wider. The dresses with this style of neck often are more tailored in the bodice with an A-line or flared skirt, giving a very feminine silhouette.

Portrait: The portrait neckline is similar to the Sabrina style neckline, except that it is usually lower-cut, and features a shawl-like addition that drapes around the shoulders. It is a style that is very flattering for a number of women and was often chosen by women as a style to wear when sitting for portraits, hence the name. The low, wide scoop offers a flattering view of the skin on the chest, without revealing the cleavage, and is one of the most feminine and classic looks in women's fashion.

Jewel: The jewel neck is a high, close neckline style that closely encircled the base of the neck and covers the tops of the torso to the shoulders. The look is almost always sleeveless and the dresses featuring this style tend to be very tailored and sleek of silhouette. It gets its name from the fact that the neckline style is often selected in order to present a backdrop for showing off a particularly special piece of jewelry.

Halter: The halter neckline consists of two triangular points of fabric that rise along the chest and join in some fashion at the back of the neck. The width of the points may vary by design, and in fact the halter may consist of one solid triangular panel that is fastened around the neck with a strap of some sort, but generally has two separate extensions with a plummeting opening between to show the cleavage.

Sweetheart: This is a flattering style for most every woman. Named for its resemblance to the bottom of the stylized heart graphic, the vertical dip of the sweetheart neckline helps to elongate the face and gives balance to larger proportions. This is by far the most popular style of neckline for wedding gowns and many evening dresses because of its ability to make most every size and shape of woman look her best.

Empire: The empire neckline is square and most notable because of its horizontal coverage of the upper torso. It is a good look for average-build to larger-framed women with short necks because it offers a balance and makes the neck appear longer. An empire dress most notably has a waistline which sits higher than the natural waistline.

Queen Anne: This neckline was popularized by Britain's Queen Anne, and is an excellent choice for women who are petite and narrow of shoulder. The roughly diamond shape opening of the chest area makes the upper torso appear larger and wider by drawing the eyes to the horizontal line along the right and left points.

Vee Neck: The Vee Neck is the single-most flattering neckline style there is. It is close in back and on the sides and dips to a shallow point in the front of the neck. The vee neck generally has a bound edge, especially when made from knit or jersey material. Every woman looks good in the vee neck because it emphasizes the oval shape of the face and causes the neck to appear longer. The only consideration to remember is to make certain that you have a proper fit on the garment and you will look great.

Crew Neck: The crew neck is called such because it is the style of neckline that was found on crewmen's jerseys. It is close all around the neck and is usually found with a narrow, ribbed edge, especially in knitted fabrics. Crew necks are generally good for most women.

Turtleneck: This close neckline features an extended collar, reminiscent of a turtle's neck when fully extended from its shell. As a rule of thumb, the turtleneck collar should be folded so that it extends no higher than one-or-two inches below the chin. Turtlenecks are especially good for women with narrow shoulders and long necks and faces, as it helps to balance them.

Scoop Neck: The scoop neck is characterized by its wide opening and full-curving dip down the chest. It is a good choice for all builds and face shapes because it helps to keep the upper torso looking proportionate.

Cowl Neck: Similar to the turtleneck, this neckline style features a collar of folded fabric, but instead of being close-fitted, the cowl neck's collar is wider and looser. The collar drapes loosely around the neck and is a great choice for women who want a collar but don't care for turtlenecks.

Information about necklines on this page is from Fashion for Dummies and Tim Gunn's Guide to Quality, Taste and Style.