Prom is a highlight in a young lady’s life. The key to making the evening a success is in the choice of the perfect prom dress. Unlike any other dress, with the exception of a wedding gown, your prom dress will be immortalized in the history of your life through photos.

But don’t feel pressured. Here are some ways to be sure that you choose a simple but elegant prom dress that is perfect for your body type.

Lean and Tall: By selecting a short dress, tall girls can outshine the competition. Formal prom dresses that are short make you look a little shorter as well. You can easily afford to wear a dress featuring ruffles and lots of small details. On you, these prom dresses will appear simple and elegant. Asymmetrical hemlines are also a flattering choice.

Full, Curvy Figure: Choose a simple, elegant style of dress if you have lots of curves and want to show them off. Choose a dress in a solid dark shade. You’ll find that dark shades are more slimming. A very flattering style for this type of figure is a halter neckline. The length of the dress can be right below the knee or to the floor. Look for simple lines; avoid flounce and a lot of excess material. You can’t go wrong if you follow these tips.

Petite: A sheath style is perfect for the petite figure. It will mold your body in a simple yet elegant way. Both patterns and solid shades will look good on you. Stay away from dresses that feature full skirts because they can be too overwhelming. Off the shoulder, backless, and plunging necklines are all flattering choices that will wow everyone.

Thin: If you are thin, you will want to stay away from solid colors. Look for gowns with a patterned fabric. Patterns add weight to you visually. If you want to appear more curvy, try on a few styles that feature gathered ruching at the hips. These guidelines will help you find your ideal dress.

Prom is a milestone night. It’s a symbol of your transition to adulthood. Make your preparations for the night as memorable as the night itself. Arm yourself with these simple guidelines for finding the perfect dress. It can be a lot of fun trying on the many different styles of grad dresses. And 30 years from now, you’ll still be proud of that dress.