Lavender Prom Dresses: Styling for Perfect Photos
Looking back at your prom photos years from now, you hope to see a version of yourself that feels timeless and cool. Lavender purple prom dresses have a romantic feel to them that is also modern and fresh. Lavender is much more forgiving than dark colors that can make a dress feel too heavy for a spring celebration. It is also a much better option than the neon shades of pink, orange, and yellow, which are much more likely to look dated than a soft lavender. It is the perfect spring color that allows your personality to shine, as it is soft and luminous, but still won’t be outshined by the bright lights of the prom, or the glowing sun in the garden when you go to take photos.
The Timeless Appeal of Lavender Prom Dresses
In the world of lavender, we also see more sophistication than light pinks and light blues. Those soft, baby colors are sweet, but lavender feels more mysterious. It also works well in almost any situation. It is bright, clean, and pops against dark outdoor greenery like in the pre-prom pictures, and it still glows in dark event spaces instead of being washed out. This color is a fresh change from the light pink prom dress options, still polished, and a perfect option for those wanting something more grown up.
Choosing the Right Shade of Lavender for Your Skin Tone
Regarding color choices, purple is a color where it is essential to pick your perfect shade. This is because it directly affects how radiant you will look in your pictures. If your skin has a pink or blue hue, these are indications that you have cool undertones and in these cases, lilac would be your best choice. If your skin has warmer tones (gold, olive), wisteria (colored lavender with a hint of gray) would be a great complement to your skin’s tone. Pick a shade to ensure your dress doesn’t compete with your skin’s natural glow, and instead enhances it. If you choose a shade too close to your skin tone, the camera flash may risk looking muted. So, pick a dress that is in a clear color contrast with your skin.
Stylist Tip: The Swatch Test
Ordering swatches is a great method to circumvent the issue of store or screen lighting trickery. This is recommended when there is time for the dress to come because it may help in making a better purchase decision. Remove all doubt about how color may look and get multiple fabric samples from Azazie (the construction way better and makes fewer fabric choices)! When you get the swatches to your home and can see the color in real light, and hold the swatches up to your face in the light and see how color makes your skin (not your dress) look.
Best Fabrics for a Crisp and Clean Photographic Look
Light moves differently with each fabric you choose and makes for different effects in photography. Lavender prom dresses in chiffon are soft and dreamy, giving that romantic look. The fabric flows with the wind for those ‘walking’ shots. If you prefer a clean and defined look, satin and stretch crepe will do the job. These fabrics hit differently in portrait shots due to their matteness and defined shape.
- Chiffon: For outdoor and natural light settings, this fabric is the best.
- Satin: Offers a luxurious look that is very structured and expensive.
- Stretch crepe: A smooth finish and matteness that prevents glares and flash.
- Tulle and mesh: These are great for volume, but too many layers can mute the color.
Drama and ease are traditional opposites. Heavy satin fabric looks awesome for dancing and has a lot of structure. Chiffon looks great and is easy to move in during dancing, but can lack tapering in certain areas. If you’d like to dance, and this is a consideration for your venue, choose your fabric to best capture your vibe.
Styling Secrets to Make Soft Colors Pop
Accessories and makeup are key to finding balance with a color like lavender that’s lighter and more muted. If you are looking for a fresh and clean look, choose silver prom dress style jewelry and crystals for that icy purple vibe. When going for a warm and more visually complex look, gold and rose gold detail provides a nice sun-drenched pop. Don’t shy away from defining features in makeup like eyeliner so you do not fade into a background. In wide angle shots you may look smaller than you really are, so a light lavender dress means you may want to enhance features more so than usual with a defined liner, well-defined features, and a soft mauve lip.
Consider your flowers too. A light dress with a bouquet of burgundy or a more muted greenery will serve to give grounding. The more visual contrast in your flowers, and the lavender dress, the more interesting the photo will be. For that look you can simply pair silver shoes and a clutch with the dress, and just your smile will get all of the attention.
Photography Tips for Soft Purple Gowns
When it comes to your lavender dress, knowing when and where to capture photos is key. The best time to capture photos is during the ‘Golden Hour’ which is around sunset. The orange colors of the sunset will cause the dress to look as if it is glowing, as it will contrast beautifully with the purple of the dress. If you are taking photos during the day, the best thing to do is to look for ‘open shade’ under a tree or a building, as you do not want the light to be too harsh as it can cause your dress to look white or grey when the pigments are washed out and the colors are too bright.
When it comes to your pose, you will want to consider the shape of your dress. If you are wearing a Mermaid style dress, you will want to position one knee in front of the other to emphasize the shape the dress is meant to show. If you have an A-line dress, you will want to use both of your hands to lift the skirt of the dress so that it does not look like you are standing still and pose with one leg in front of the other to show off the other leg so that the fabric flows. If you want your photos to capture the true shade of purple of the dress, you will need to ask your photographer to adjust the white balance.
The Azazie Advantage: Made-to-Order Confidence
While many might think color is the most important aspect when it comes to a great photo, it is actually the fit that makes the most difference. Finding the perfect fitting dress makes everyone stand taller and usually makes the wearer feel much more confident and that will always show in photos. Since Azazie works off a made-to-order system, each dress is cut and sewn to the individual buyer which completely eliminates the awkward gapping or loose areas to make the dress more flattering. Using the custom sizing will guarantee the dress will not only be the correct height, but the correct proportions for your body type.
If you still are having trouble deciding between two different styles or colors, try on at home! Ordering up to 6 sample dresses to try for a week in the comfort of your home is free! Take the opportunity to test out the color of the dress as it will appear on your camera as well as practice your selfies and try the dress with any shoes. Of course, don’t forget to test the dress in various lights. Dress sizes are available between 0-30 and everyone should have a dress that feels both celebratory as well as supportive.
Are you ready to start your journey towards making it possible to find your perfect look? Browse Azazie’s collection of purple prom dresses and book your swatches to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a lavender dress show up as white in pictures?
Under very bright light or with a strong camera flash, lavender dresses can appear much lighter in color than they actually are. If you’re concerned about this, try a dress color with a little more depth like Wisteria. Consider asking your photographer to adjust the exposure so that the various shades of purple are prominent in your final gallery.
What color shoes go best with lavender prom dresses?
The most common shoe colors are silver and nude, as they provide a seamless look that elongates your legs. If you want a bolder shoe, a warm contrast, metallic gold, can definitely make your outfit pop. Also, a deep plum or even a dark floral print can provide an unexpected editorial edge to your outfit.
How do I decide if I want Chiffon or Satin for my prom pictures?
Chiffon and satin both provide very distinctive vibes. When you want a more relaxed, flowy look, then Chiffon is best. It works well when you’re trying to get some candid shots outdoors as it catches the wind and can look very ethereal. Meanwhile, in indoor settings Satin lies well. Satin also offers a very polished, and formal look which is ideal for portrait photographs as it provides a structured, high-fashion look.
Can I try on a lavender dress before I decide to buy it?
Absolutely! With Azazie’s Home Try-On program, you get to pick up to 6 sample dresses to try on at your home for one week. Since purchasing is made-to-order, this is an ideal way to assess the color of the dress against your skin, as well as, the fit of the dress before making your final order.