Preppy plus size prom
I've gotten several emails asking for advice on picking out a preppy prom dress. Y-i-k-e-s. I haven't shopped for a prom dress in 12 years, and the few that I have seen left a lot to be desired. Hopefully the advice that follows is still good advice and doesn't make me sound like your mother.

One of the few things that hasn't changed since I was in high school is the fact you still have to order your dress anywhere from 4-8 weeks in advance of the dance, not to mention the time for alterations. The dresses I chose can be ordered online and overnighted if necessary.

General rules of preppy gown shopping:
Less is more: skin, makeup, elaborate hair styles, accessories.
If you adore that lime green poofy princess dress, go for it! 
Just keep everything else in your look minimal.

Going for a simple gown? Feel free to stack bangles up to your elbow.

I will also step up on my soapbox for a moment: don't visit the tanning beds. I worked with a woman who died from skin cancer when she was 25. The cancer was discovered while she was pregnant and  had already spread to her lungs. The seven months she was able to spend with her son she was living in a hospice facility. The #1 thing listed on her Facebook profile? "I LUV TO TAN!!!!!" Just...don't do it. Fake bake with some Jergens and bronzer if you must have that glow.

Here are some dresses that I found that I would personally wear to a formal event. I think these would be suitable for prom, military ball, museum gala, etc.:
If you're of prom-going age (or recently of prom-going age), let me know how I did in the comments, and give any other advice/suggestions that you may have!