In style: romantic fashions

The first step is to get a dress, and then add the accessories.
By AMANDA ROGERS and ALYSON WARD
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Romantic is the word that fashion experts are tossing around wildly to describe this year's must-have prom style. But how do you get the look without giving up individual style?
How do you take girlie-girl pastels and bows from old-fashioned storybook to a thoroughly modern look?
We perused the trendiest magazines and asked an expert at Cosmo Girl to give us tips for making it happen.
First, get the dress. Tara McBratney, senior fashion editor at Cosmo Girl, takes her cues about what's hot from Hollywood. "If you notice the trend with celebrities on the red carpet, it's all romance," she says.
How does that translate into a dress?
Tips
Here are some guidelines:
UThink pink. Pink and other pastels -- light blue, creamy yellow -- are the colors of the season. For a modern twist, pair the pastels with bits of edgy black.
UGet a traditionally elegant look with black and white. If pastel hues aren't you, consider a mix of the formal, sophisticated shades of black and white.
UBorrow the best romantic looks from other eras. Shop vintage stores, or find a new gown with a retro look that salutes the sleek '20s or the poufy '70s. Some of the most fashion-forward looks this spring are tea-length dresses with form-fitting tops and full, swingy skirts with a '50s flair.
UTulle goes under overlays or stands by itself to give any dress a soft, full silhouette.
UAvoid the beauty-pageant, overly sequined, low-cut, tight-fitting creations found in many prom boutiques. You want to wear the dress, not have it wear you.
UAvoid dresses you can't move in comfortably. Modern romance is not about corsetlike bindings and skin-baring, slinky frocks. It's about moving gracefully from the dinner table to the dance floor and having your dress gently shimmer and flow.
ULace, ribbons, corset ties and bows in simple designs add a romantic touch -- but don't get carried away. Think Vera Wang, not Little Bo Peep.
Accessories
Then, add the accessories. One of the easiest ways to get individual style is to choose pretty, fun and inexpensive accessories. "You can definitely get a simple dress and go crazy with accessories," McBratney says.
This spring, update your look with:
UBeaded chandelier earrings. (Note: If you do wear big earrings, skip the look-at-me necklace and/or tiara. Choose one.)
USequined bags.
UGloves. Go long if your dress is full-length or wear shorter gloves if you're wearing a '50s-inspired tea-length dress.
UClear-heeled sandals, which give an instant '04 update.
USandals with ankle-wrap ribbons in a variety of colors, also new-looking this year.