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  3. Top Formal Dress Styles

Top Formal Dress Styles

By Instyle
Updated Feb 27, 2015 @ 11:32 am
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Katy Perry, Basil Soda, Prom Dresses
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Top Formal Dress Styles

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1 of 39

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One-Shoulder

One-Shoulder
Credit: George Pimentel/Getty Image

An asymmetrical style showcases the upper body, while providing the perfect backdrop for statement earrings.

1 of 39

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2 of 39

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One-Shoulder

Diane Kruger, Valentino, Prom Dresses
Credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Diane Kruger

in Valentino

2 of 39

3 of 39

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One-Shoulder

Miley Cyrus, Max Azria, Prom Dresses
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Miley Cyrus

in custom Max Azria

3 of 39

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4 of 39

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Printed Strapless

Printed Strapless
Credit: Gregg DeGuire/ Getty Images

Patterns are a playful addition to an after-dark ensemble; keep the look formal by choosing luxurious fabrics embellished with ruffles and fringe details.

4 of 39

5 of 39

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Printed Strapless

Printed Strapless
Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Eva Mendes

in Bill Blass

5 of 39

6 of 39

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Printed Strapless

Kerry Washington, Oscar de la Renta, Prom Dresses
Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage

Kerry Washington

in Oscar de la Renta

6 of 39

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7 of 39

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Column

Sophia Bush, Monique Lhuillier, Prom Dresses
Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/ Getty Images

Sleek and understated, the column silhouette subtly sets off the shoulders and decolletage.

7 of 39

8 of 39

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Column

Joy Bryant, Missoni, Prom Dresses
Credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Joy Bryant

in Missoni

8 of 39

9 of 39

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Column

Ashley Olsen, Calvin Klein Collection, Prom Dresses
Credit: SGP Italia srl/WireImage

Ashley Olsen

in Calvin Klein Collection

9 of 39

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10 of 39

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Rosettes

Rosettes
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Feminine flowers make for a romantic look that requires few extra accessories.

10 of 39

11 of 39

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Rosettes

Vanessa Hudgens, Moschino, Prom Dresses
Credit: Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

Vanessa Hudgens

in Moschino

11 of 39

12 of 39

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Rosettes

Zooey Deschanel, Luella, Prom Dresses
Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Zooey Deschanel

in Luella

12 of 39

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Ethereal

Olivia Wilde, Reem Acra, Prom Dresses
Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

For a fairy princess effect, nothing beats light-as-air layers of flowing chiffon.

13 of 39

14 of 39

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Ethereal

Eva Mendes, Christian Dior, Prom Dresses
Credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Eva Mendes

in Christian Dior

14 of 39

15 of 39

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Ethereal

Freida Pinto, Marchesa, Prom Dresses
Credit: Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Freida Pinto

in Marchesa

15 of 39

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16 of 39

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Primary Colors

Anne Hathaway, Zac Posen, Prom Dresses
Credit: JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/ Getty Images

Gowns in bold hues of red, blue, and yellow pack a punch-choose a simple silhouette to let the shade shine.

16 of 39

17 of 39

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Primary Colors

Taylor Momsen, Marchesa, Prom Dresses
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Taylor Momsen

in Marchesa

17 of 39

18 of 39

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Primary Colors

Primary Colors
Credit: Tsuni/Gamma

Malin Akerman

in Jason Wu

18 of 39

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Embellished Necklines

January Jones, Andrew Gn, Prom Dresses
Credit: Presley Ann/Getty Images

A dramatic neckline acts as a built-in necklace.

19 of 39

20 of 39

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Embellished Neckline

Molly Sims, Monique Lhuillier, Prom Dresses
Credit: Todd Williamson/WireImage

Molly Sims

in Monique Lhuillier

20 of 39

21 of 39

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Embellished Necklines

Anne Hathaway, Azzaro, Prom Dresses
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Anne Hathaway

in Azzaro

21 of 39

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22 of 39

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Mini

Mini
Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Got great legs? Show them off with a short hemline-choose a dress with couture-quality details for a formal effect.

22 of 39

23 of 39

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Mini

Rihanna, Zac Posen, Prom Dresses
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Rihanna

in Zac Posen

23 of 39

24 of 39

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Mini

Freida Pinto, Zac Posen, Prom Dresses
Credit: Janet Gough/Celebrity Photo

Freida Pinto

in Zac Posen

24 of 39

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25 of 39

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Floral

Floral
Credit: Raymond Hall/Getty Images

Bring the outside in with blossom-bedecked prints that hint of spring.

25 of 39

26 of 39

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Floral

Carrie Underwood, Naeem Khan, Prom Dresses
Credit: Mark Davis/Landov

Carrie Underwood

in Naeem Khan

26 of 39

27 of 39

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Floral

JoAnna Garcia, Blumarine, Prom Dresses
Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage

JoAnna Garcia

in Blumarine

27 of 39

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28 of 39

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Metallic Beads

Carrie Underwood, Zuhair Murad, Prom Dresses
Credit: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

Double your sparkle with embellished gowns in gold, silver and bronze.

28 of 39

29 of 39

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Metallic Beads

Jessica Biel, Oscar de la Renta, Prom Dresses
Credit: Ciao Hollywood/SplashNewsOnline.com

Jessica Biel

in Oscar de la Renta

29 of 39

30 of 39

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Metallic Beads

Elizabeth Banks, Kaufman Franco, Prom Dresses
Credit: Jon Furniss/WireImage

Elizabeth Banks

in Kaufman Franco

30 of 39

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31 of 39

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Retro

Retro
Credit: Dan MacMedan/Getty Images

Channel '50s chic with a wasp-waist design in a cocktail length.

31 of 39

32 of 39

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Retro

Scarlett Johansson, Bill Blass, Prom Dresses
Credit: Tony Barson/WireImage

Scarlett Johansson

in Bill Blass

32 of 39

33 of 39

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Retro

Keira Knightley, Alexis Mabille, Prom Dresses
Credit: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Keira Knightley

in Alexis Mabille

33 of 39

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