Winter Formal is a school-sponsored dance on Saturday, Dec. 1. It is a night where girls get to have their hair and makeup done, and boys get to put on a suit and wear hair gel.

Being a girl is stressful enough every day, but even more when you have to stress about your hair, makeup, dress, shoes, dinner, transportation and your date. Finding the perfect dress is one of the hardest and best moments ever in a girl’s life. One tip I have is to ask an upperclassman to borrow an old dress. It is great because you do not have to spend any money on a dress, and no one will be wearing the same dress because it is older. Boys do not even worry, you can go rent a suit from Tip Top Tux or Men’s Wearhouse or buy one, whichever works for you. It is a good idea to own a simple black suit for future occasions.

There are many places to get a dress in Sioux Falls, but it varies in prices all over. If you are looking for a more high-end, name-brand dress, go to Elegant Xpressions Boutique. They have some gorgeous dresses but it will definitely cost you. The saying “beauty is pain” will be evident in your bank account after a visit to this boutique. Do not worry, if your budget is set for a lower price range, then here are some stores to look into. Charlotte Russe, JCPenney and Macy’s are great places to find a dress. Shoes are another major aspect of getting ready, but my favorite place to buy formal shoes is definitely Charlotte Russe because they have cute affordable shoes in all colors and sizes.                                              Any of the stores listed above have formal shoes but maybe they are not the best options for you.

Winter Formal is also the one time a year you might see someone with makeup on their face, but finding the right look that best suits you can be a pain. If you are planning on wearing a black dress, the best look for you might be a simple smokey eye, but for the people who have never put on makeup, there are multiple hair salons that you can make an appointment at and get it done. I also consulted the website LoveToKnow; it gave me helpful tips when picking out my makeup and what looks good with my skin tone and hair color.

The weeks leading up to formal can be very stressful; however, the night is mainly about having fun while staying safe. Jump around with your friends, go out to dinner with your date or even just stay in and watch a movie. Whatever you have planned for Dec. 1, make it a night you will never forget.