Now is the time to start thinking about formal evening

Now is the time to start thinking about formal evening gowns for the holiday season!

Too often, we women put off the search for evening wear until a week or two before an event which requires we put on the glitz with formal evening gowns. If you wait until the season is upon you, your choices are naturally limited, in both styles and sizes, with the best being snapped up by women early on! To avoid a frantic shopping trip or three now is the time to look over the fall fashion magazines for what's new and beautifully suited to formal events. After all, you know that last year's formal evening gown may not look very stylish this year. The fashion industry comes up with new trends, cuts and detailing every year!

Many of us feel we'll just have to make do with what's in our closet now, due to budget constraints. If your clothing budget is feeling the pinch, there's more than one way to solve the problem. One is to go retro there are thrift shops which have entire sections devoted to formal evening gowns of previous decades. Happily, these shops typically only accept formal gowns which are in pristine condition. When compared to designer evening gowns, these fabulous thrift shop finds are absolutely affordable. You may need to take the gown to a dressmaker for minor alterations, but this is certainly an affordable expense. Many of the retro styles are timeless and elegant.

Another budget conscious option is shopping the factory outlets. However, remember that time is of the essence ... smart shoppers are shopping in September and October. Don't believe for a minute that formal evening gowns from the outlet stores are inferior in quality. A gown that sells for several hundred dollars at the upscale mall shops may be found at the factory outlets for the simple reason that a few stitches on the bodice or hemline was not precisely centered, or the dye lot was not an exact color match to the shade the designer intended! Such minor differences are not show stoppers you might have to do an inspection with a magnifying glass to find these 'flaws' yourself - and will make that lovely formal gown available to you at half the price or less.

Color is often a premier signature of the newest fashions, including formal evening dresses, so paying attention to the color trends helps you choose a gown that says, 'chic'. This also applies to the retro fashions: match this season's 'newest' colors to a retro gown and you've got a winner.

Following the current trends in accessories is also important to make your formal evening gown shine. Now, it's time to go shopping!