Homecoming is a time to celebrate school spirit and enjoy lots of fun activities. If you’re wondering about what to wear, you should definitely go with a cute dress, but remember that homecoming is a lot less formal than prom, so you should dress accordingly.

A few tips for finding a fab homecoming dress:

1. Choose a cocktail-length dress rather than a full-length dress. A full-length evening dress will almost always look too formal.

2. If the event is relatively formal, a cocktail dress would still be most appropriate, but opt for a more elegant dress. We love this Purple Cocktail Dress – the rich color, shimmery fabric and pretty cut make this one of our favorites for homecoming.

3. Start shopping well in advance – give yourself at least a month. You want to have enough time to make alterations if needed, and if you shop online, you need to factor in the time it would take to ship your dress.

4. Don’t be afraid of color! A flattering color will help make sure that you stand apart and get noticed. We love this Fuchsia Halter Taffeta Cocktail Dress – the color is universally flattering and the halter neckline is absolutely gorgeous.

5. Don’t forget a shawl. Depending on where you went to school, fall temperatures – especially at night – mean that a pretty shawl is a must. Many of our dresses feature matching shawls. We also offer these pretty shawls to match any dress.

When it comes to accessories, remember that comfort is just as important as looks – those stilettos may look amazing, but they will hurt your feet and you want to be able to dance, don’t you? So go with pretty evening sandals or pumps, but make sure the heel is manageable.