
DATE: Friday, April 11, 1997                TAG: 9704100093

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY KIM WADSWORTH, FASHION CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:  125 lines

PROM PERSONALITY MAKE SURE YOUR CLOTHES SEND THE RIGHT MESSAGE

IT'S YOUR big day. You want to look beautiful, sophisticated and, dare we say, sexy.

You try on that long, silky gown with the stomach exposed.

No, not right.

How about the short, sequined dress with the plunging neckline and the skirt that really hugs your rear?

Wait a minute!

Before you buy that prom dress, make sure it's sending the message you want to send. Wearing a gown beyond what you can handle is like walking at night without reflective material. Anything can happen.

``If her dress is too provocative, then it becomes too much of an attention-getter,'' said Gabe Fritz, a 17-year-old senior at Western Branch High School.

Sure, you want to get attention, but you want it for the right reason: Because you look marvelous.

Prom gowns this season tend to be romantic and flowing, thanks to the inspirations of celebrities like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Angela Bassett and Gwyneth Paltrow.

``They're not ridiculous,'' said Karen Eagle, whose Virginia Beach store carries her name. This season's prom dresses are ``are covered, but there's a sheer cutout at the waist. . . . They look great,'' she said.

And, with the right shape and the right underwear, young ladies can look great in them.

``One of the most important things we try to do is guide girls in the area of wearing proper foundations with their gowns,'' said Angela Aunchman, manager of Gantos in Greenbrier Mall. ``Often, they don't want to wear pantyhose, but they have to with certain dresses when panty lines are revealed. It gives a smoother line and just looks better.''

Aunchman also encourages girls to find the proper bra. She suggests a long-line bra for bustier bodies and adhesive bras to give a little more shape.

If you're not sure what to wear, though, ask for help. Moms, store managers, friends, anyone who will offer honest advice can help make you queen for the evening.

``We want to guide girls in their choices, because we don't want them to make an embarrassing choice,'' said Michelle Umphlett, Gantos assistant manager.

Umphlett said more girls today have an athletic build. Because their bodies are more developed and they appear older, styles tend to be more mature and glamorous.

``They are emphasizing this type of body silhouette,'' Umphlett said.

But too much body emphasis can lead to trouble. It may give your date the wrong impression or lead you and your parents to battle.

``My older daughter has strong opinions, and sometimes we debate over a choice,'' said Kathy Naughton of Virginia Beach. Naughton has two teen-age daughters and is very involved in helping her girls pick their prom attire.

``If I'm paying for her dress, I feel I can say it's too revealing,'' Naughton said. ``I do set limits but I'm also willing to let her know when I think something she chooses is appealing.''

Naughton said she is concerned about dresses or styles that leave large sections of girls' bodies exposed.

But how is a girl to look sexy without showing some skin?

Easy. Show off your accessories, not your cleavage, encourages Gloria Siegel, owner of Pizazz Jewelry in Virginia Beach.

``I would rather see them make a daring statement with a hot colored evening purse, some shimmery earrings or even a tiara than going too far in a particular dress,'' Siegel said.

Try a wild evening bag or fun, strappy heels to make a different statement.

Whatever your decision, be sure your prom dress is functional and fun and something that allows you to sit down. Be the queen of your scene and celebrate the moment.

What about the guys?

Forget the powder blue tuxedo.

Don't even think about wearing boxer shorts and sneakers instead of slacks and shoes.

Some guys do silly things because they want to make a statement, but fashionable tuxedos make a strong statement, and they don't make you look silly, says Rick Porter, manager of Mitchell's Tuxedos in Virginia Beach.

``It's no longer cool to go along with what the other guy does,'' Porter said.

In fact, it's cool to wear black. Black is the hot tux color this year, said Mark Hartmann, manager of the Formal House in Portsmouth. And don't forget that mandarin-collar shirt or a vest to add a splash of color.

``It's a new style,'' Hartmann said. ``They wore it at the Oscars.''

If you like that style or any style, do yourself a favor. Get to the store now.

Hartmann said: ``If you're early, you get what you want. If you're late, you get what we have.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color] Photos by Huy Nguyen

Fashion Coordination and Styling: Kim Wadsworth for Wadsworth

Style

Hair: Master stylist Janis B. Starkey of A Cut Above, Virginia

Beach

Make-up: Kim Wadsworth using The Spring Collection 1997 by Trucco

for Sebastian

Location: Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel

Regal

Michelle Griffith, 17-year-old senior at Catholic High School,