Try This Look for Homecoming or your next school dance
Miranda recently came to us for help in putting together her outfit for her very first high school dance. We loved the theme for her homecoming dance just as much as she did: Coachella. Coachella is the famous music and arts festival, held each year in California’s Indio Valley. Props to Miranda’s high school for a cool and creative homecoming theme! But Miranda needed help with her look. How do you translate Coachella into dance-perfect dress, shoes, and hairstyle?
One word: Boho. Coachella style is bohemian more than anything else. And as soon as Miranda said the word, Coachella, we knew just how to help her. Our plan was to substitute traditional dance mainstays with three boho basics. Instead of a cocktail dress, a more casual, flowy dress. Instead of pumps or sparkly heeled sandals, gladiator heels or ankle booties. And instead of a traditional up-do or bun, beach curled hair with some special embellishment.
We started with the dress, and sent Miranda a few pictures of floral mini dresses, maxi dresses, and short, solid dresses with bell sleeves. Each of these could work for a boho look. The key to a boho dress is that it feels easy, flowy, and romantic. But not too frilly or girly.
We were standing by as Miranda sent us live shopping pictures:
As you can see, this teal floral dress fits all of our boho guidelines and looks beautiful on freshman, Miranda. Those sleeves are Coachella, for sure! This is also a dress she could easily wear again to other events.
But Miranda wanted to try a few more options…
We got this picture next and started clapping. The cut-out sleeves are boho to a tee. Miranda fell in love with them. She also loved this one because the solid black felt dressy. And this dress fit her body perfectly and would be comfortable to dance in.
After this, Miranda felt like she was done. When everything clicks and you feel that dress magic, it’s a sign you’ve found the right one. Dress – check!
Now for shoes. Miranda looked at strappy, gladiator heeled sandals and ankle boots, per our suggestions. Because Miranda lives in a cold climate, she felt that the ankle boots would be a better investment and she’d get more wear out of them after the dance. We agreed.
The first pair she tried was too casual and didn’t have any detail. Not quite right for a dance.
These had a wonderful fringe detail and the color would’ve looked great with the black dress. But notice how high the shaft is on these ankle boots? Not perfect for a dance. A little too casual and a little too Western. So, next…
With these, Miranda felt like she was getting closer. The black was perfect, but the style felt a little too plain and the heel was a tad high.
Then she found these! Why were these the best? Detail. The oversized gold zipper pull has a little fringe tab that adds some pizazz. The heel isn’t too high and Miranda said these were very comfortable. The brown heel and base adds more visual detail. Perfect. And lastly, these are suede. The suede gives the shoe more of a classic boho feel. Shoes – check!
We’re going to pause to give you some insight on how Miranda worked her budget. Because she lives in a city that gets cold in the winter, Miranda wanted to invest in good, quality ankle boots that would work for fall and days without rain or snow. So, she decided to look for a slightly cheaper dress and spend more on shoes. We agreed all the way.
Now for hair. Miranda is blessed with gorgeous hair, so it was easy to style. I told her family to do either beach wave ringlets, or a loose, half up-do with braids. The Cherry Blossom Crew squealed when we got this picture of her finished hair and makeup (bold eye, winged eyeliner, and a nude lip – win.) Matte gold nails, too!
Before this, I’d told Miranda to accent her hair with a headband or embellished bobby pins like we wrote about in this post. We absolutely loved her choice of the black and gold braided headband. She also added a long statement necklace because the dress was so simple.
Here’s the finished look!
Wow, right? Miranda looks chic, elegant, fun, and age appropriate. She had a fabulous time at her homecoming dance and her friends gave her major kudos on her look.
Now, for more.
Even if your homecoming or other school dance isn’t bohemian or Coachella themed, we think you could easily try a look similar to Miranda’s, anyway! If anything, you’ll show your style and individuality. You can also take pieces of this look and make them work for you. That is what style is all about.
p.s. if you’re wondering about the dainty, diamond necklace Miranda layered with her costume piece, it’s from Zoe Chicco. We featured it in this post. Miranda is building her grownup jewelry collection and got this for a special graduation gift.
If you need help styling your look for a special event, let us know! We’d love to help.