Prom Accessories To Make Your Look POP

November 28, 2022

By The Queenly Team

1. Fabulous Feet

Pumps, flats, or strappy sandals? What to do, what to do… Above all, make sure you like them and feel confident wearing them. But there are a few shoe rules that are easy to follow that can help guide you in the right direction.

Due to the business casual feel of a classic pump, strappy heels are the better go-to for prom dresses. However, if you have picked out a mini dress, or at least something above the knee, pumps can be a great option.

Classic pumps are great to wear for prom

In a mini dress, you are showing off a lot of leg, so going with a closed-toe shoe will round out the look and keep it more formal. We like companies like Steve Madden for some classic pumps with a lot of variety in colors and textures, a way to keep it timeless and classy but give you a lot of options to fit your unique self and still match your shoes to your fit.

If you chose something with a fit and flare style, or A-line, keep your eye out for a Mary-Jane, or T-strap style heel. If you like the comfort of a full heel, this is a great way to still put some unique style into your look. It’ll give off some vintage vibes without dating your ensemble. Bonus points if you can find a city subway grate and pull off a classic Marilyn Monroe pose! Try a modern shoe with vintage vibes; we also love chunky heels that are full of color to go with any look.

Floor-length or high-low dresses call out for something formal; this is where a strappy heel comes into play. You can still show off your personality with the color and pattern of the shoe, but you want the focus to be on the dress. Especially if it’s floor-length, your shoes are meant to be the dot at the end of the sentence. If you went for a Cinderella-style ball gown, a neutral block heel is an excellent option. Keep the shoe and color simple, but still have a thick enough heel so you won’t trip over the tulle.

Classic silver heels are great for a Cinderella style ball gown

We also LOVE the idea of a clear heel, really fall into the look of Cinderella without wearing glass on your feet; it’s a safety hazard and if we learned anything from the latest Cinderella movie, it’s that glass isn’t comfy.

What happens if you’re not a heels kind of gal? Not a problem! Flats are still a great option for those of us that feel like we are on stilts in heels. There are a few ways to go with this: kitten heel, just for a little something, or a strappy sandal. Something that laces up the calf would be a fun option here.

If you went for a sandal with studs or a heavier strap, it’ll make your dress edgy and rocker chic. On the other hand, you could go with something in a blush shade or a very skinny strap that would be more ethereal. There are a ton of great options for sandals, heel or no heel.

You could go with a ballet flat as well if you’re looking for a full-coverage shoe. A ballet flat is always classic, think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Timeless. We love a pointy toe; they’re trending hard right now so the options are considerable. We also recommend finding one with a little embellishment, or a shoe clip if you already own a simple flat but want to dress it up!

One more option we must throw out (and this goes against all the traditional rules of formalwear, but who cares!) is sneakers. The mix of a high-top converse or a pair of platform vans in place of the traditional heel with an elegant, formal dress is just a form of rebellion we can’t help but love. And anyone with the confidence to back this look can pull it off. Cheers to the anarchy!

2. Head Space

Tiaras aren’t just for beauty queens, ladies - a crown can make you fierce

Tiaras aren’t just for beauty queens, ladies, and if a pregnant Beyoncé taught us anything, it’s that a crown can make you fierce. Depending on your taste, you can go for a goddess moment; think flower crowns like Aphrodite, or more of a sun halo-like Athena. They’re a great option because while they’re mainstream, not many of the other attendees will have thought of something like this to wear, ensuring you have your moment to shine.

In case vintage is more your vibe, grab your head wrap and show Daisy Buchanan the time of her life (In case you slept through English class, it was a reference to Great Gatsby). A headwrap in diamonds will obviously come off a bit flashier, but don’t forget what the luxe texture of velvet can do to an outfit. If you really want to take it there, find a velvet headwrap and add a diamond brooch. Yes, we said it. This is prom, go for broke!

Yes, we said it. This is prom, go for broke!

Headbands with embellishment or even a scrunchie with a bow could totally turn a simple look into something more spectacular. A cute, low pony gets a step up with a thick, fun scrunchie; making your look seem effortless as if you just woke up this perfect (which you totally did btw).

A headband with a little rhinestone detail will be a little more subtle than a crown but give off a kiss of princess. So you seem royal, yet approachable.

3. Arm Candy

You came to slay. Why not show everyone how fierce you are and accessorize your dress with a gold armband? Armbands come in a variety of widths and layers, so the options are seriously endless here.

Go for a simple one-layer twist just to add a little bling to an understated boho look, or go for an armband that has multiple layers, making your inner warrior princess shine. We are loving the gold leaf arm wrap from Walmart right now, an option that’s great for your look and easy on your wallet.

4. Lots of Jewels

Just like Moira Rose, first the shoes, then the jewels. When it comes to accessorizing your prom dress, the vibe you’re aiming for will tell you where to go with these final pieces of your look.

If the vibe is a black-tie affair, you are going to want to keep the jewelry simple. Think understated, thinner chain necklaces, stacking rings, stud or drop crystal earrings. Pieces that will be timeless, a little less trendy so you’ll be able to keep them in your accessories case for years to come.

If you want a little more bling but still keep it subtle, try a few layering necklaces. It’ll give you that pop without being over the top.

Some of you might have chosen dresses and shoes that have a little more rocker flair. Think large chunky chain jewelry. These types of necklaces are still beautiful and can be worn with more elegant dresses but will fit in nicely with your edgier looks.

Again, the idea here is that you will be able to wear them with multiple outfits as opposed to one and done.

Some of you are thinking, these are great, but my jewelry makes my outfit, I want it to be bold and loud. Go for it, girl! Sometimes with a simpler dress adding some bolder accessories can really take your outfit to the next level. Think large bright-colored earrings, necklaces that combine chains with pearls and diamonds, rings that are so large they take up an entire knuckle; better yet, three-finger rings that make your whole hand sparkle.

At the height of popularity, these pieces were expensive, but over time they have become way more accessible.

Accessories are also a great way to get your date involved! Matching pieces if you’re going with your girl gang or coordinating colors with outfits and jewelry are a great way to compliment yourself and your date so be sure to keep them in mind!

Get Your Prom On!

Above all else, feel good about the choices you make for prom. It’s your chance to celebrate your friendships and last moments of high school, so whatever you do, do it with honesty and intention. Here at Queenly, our favorite part of this business is helping you look and feel great!