Dance Floor Catwalk—HC's Guide to Fall Formal Dresses - Women Campus

Homecoming is over, and it’s time to prepare for the most important phase of fall—formal season!  But, before you can enjoy drinks and dancing with your cute date, you need to find a dress.  A lot of factors have to come together in a good formal dress: sexy, but still easy to dance in; special, but not a one-time wear; fashionable, but classic enough that you won’t vomit at the pictures in 20 years. In short, formal dress selections cannot be made casually. So before you embark on a quest through your roommate’s closet and the sea of online shopping sites, here are some fall formal trends to guide you along the way.      How very Serena Van der Woodsen of you Every episode of Gossip Girl makes it clear: sequins are still hot this fall. It’s best to keep the styling simple with a dress so flashy—think solid, matte shoes and minimal jewelry.  That being said, have fun with it!  Rock a standard, sexy monochrome sequin dress like the Global DJ dress above, or mix it up with a bold pattern like the ABS by Allen Schwartz.  Either way, you’re bound to be the life of the party.    From left to right: All Over Sequined Dress, $44.50, Charlotte Russe; Gold Sequin Dress, $79, Global DJ; ABS by Allen Schwartz Striped Sequin Dress, $288.75, Bloomingdale’s; JS Boutique Strapless Sequin Jersey Dress, $128, Nordstrom.     What would Mondo wear? Who didn’t lust after Mondo’s funky exaggerated patterns on “Project Runway” this season?  Make a statement at formal with a big print, and don’t be afraid of a dress with detailing, too, to add volume and texture to the print.  If you opt for pattern with neutral colors like the ones featured here, be sure to add color in your shoes and jewelry for a little extra oomph.    From left to right: Maggy London Leopard Print Taffeta Sheath Dress, $158, Nordstrom; One Shoulder Maxi, $65, Collective Concepts; Tracy Reese Ruffled Silk Dress, $295, Nordstrom; Opposites Interact Dress, $44.99, ModCloth.com.     Cinched in and seriously pretty There’s nothing better than a corseted dress to create (or accentuate!) curves.  It’s easy to be vampy in a bustier, but this fall it’s all about a romantic twist.  The long skirt, contrasting sheer overlay, velvet trim and shiny fabric in the featured dresses give the corsets a luxe, sexy elegance.  Look for velvet shoes and delicate, classy jewelry to complete the look.   From left to right: Jacquard Party Dress, $88, Victoria’s Secret; Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Mesh Corset Long Dress, $396, ; Laundry by Shelli Segal Strapless "Pannier" Dress with Velvet Trim, $221.25, Bloomingdale’s; Aryn K wrapped Bustier Dress, $85, nastygal.com.     Bring out your inner urban warrior Long-sleeved, strapless, one-shouldered—no matter what the bodice, ruched dresses this fall are short, tight and incredibly sexy.  Keep the look edgy with tights, sky-high booties and chunky jewelry, and don’t be surprised if your date passes out at the door.   From left to right: BCBGMAXAZRIA Illusion Bodice Ruched Sheath Dress, $228, Nordstrom; Fashion Envy One Shoulder Black Dress, $47, lulus.com; BCBGMAXAZRIA RUNWAY Shirred Bandage Mesh Dress, $285, Bloomingdale’s; Contrast Mesh Tube Dress, $39.50, Charlotte Russe.       LBDs are bringing sexy back Rock a formal in the front, party in the back look with a dress that has fun back strap details.  These dresses are fun and surprising in the back, but their simple black fronts leave lots of room to add drama with your styling.  They would look fantastic with a seriously smoky eye and provide the perfect excuse to try a fun, back-baring hairstyle—a not-so effortless messy braid or slicked-back ponytail perhaps?    From left to right: Tempt the Tempest Dress, $36, lulus.com; Motel Lesley Dress, $88, Urban Outfitters; Elizabeth and James Black Criss-Cross Back Dress, $295, Bloomingdale’s; Cross-back Minidress, $78, Victoria’s Secret.   For the strapless romantic   Demure and flirty, a strapless dress with a soft, textured skirt never fails.  Change it up with different accessories, or even add a fun belt, and you can get countless looks from one dress while staying fashionably timeless.   From left to right: Hitch Bandeau Prom Dress, $68, ASOS, Blaque Label; Adrianna Papell Strapless Rosette Ball Gown, $238, Nordstrom; Evening Eclipse Dress, $149.99, ModCloth.com; Beaujolais Strapless Black Dress, $82, lulus.com.