Fair Oaks Mall Prom Dress Shop Opens April 29, 2016

Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program open the annual Fair Oaks Prom Dress Shop on Friday, April 29, 2016.  

The Prom Dress Shop is located on the upper level of Fair Oaks Mall in the vacant space next to Papyrus.  The entrance to the shop is located next to the Pepsi machines inside the Cheesecake Factory and Brio Tuscan Grill mall entrance across from the Picture People.  Students from any area high school who are in need of a prom dress, and do not have the funds to purchase one, can come to the Prom Dress Shop.  They must show a valid student ID, or other form of school identification, in order to select a free dress during the following store hours:

Friday, April 29                         4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 30                     2 to 5 p.m. 

Sunday, May 1                         1 to 4 p.m.

Friday, May 13                          4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 14                      2 to 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 15                        1 to 4 p.m.

Friday, May 27                          4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 28                      2 to 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 29                        1 to 4 p.m.

Below is a video for more information: 

Centreville High School is located at 6001 Union Mill Road in Clifton.  Fair Oaks Mall is located at 11750 Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax at the intersection of Interstate 66 and U.S. Route 50.  For more information, contact Miranda Schick at 703-609-7404 or mlschick@fcps.edu.

Prom 2k15!

OK- Prom 2k15 is around the corner.  What does this mean for guys?

A few things:

1. When you rent a tux, make sure to try it on when you pick it up.  You want to make sure everything fits perfectly.  If it doesn't, the tux shop should make it right. 
2. Tuxedo=Shiny shoes.  That is it.
3. A pocket square finishes off the look, always. 
4. Bring mints. 
5. Get a haircut.  Ideally 2 weeks before.

Any other questions? Ask us! @MetroFormal or (202) 390-6633

Stop by and see us in Fair Oaks Mall inside Sears on the upper level!

Looking Ahead To Prom 2014 - Getting Your Hair In Order - The Modern Pompadour

We're gearing up for Prom 2014, and you should be too!  

There are a few different things to think about, and one of them is your haircut. 

Click here for a great article from Fashionbeans about what they call The Modern Pompadour.  It's a bold style, and not one to be written off.  No matter what you choose, make sure your hair is right and and your tux tight (we can help with the last part). 

Prom (Or Any Other Event for That Matter) Dinner Etiquette

There are a lot of dining etiquette guides out there, and most people know the basics - hold open doors, ladies sit and order first, no elbows on the table, don't talk when there's food in your mouth, etc. Lots of people are more advanced, knowing the "bread on your left, drink on your right" rule. Still others know the difference between a dessert spoon, a tea spoon, and a soup spoon.

That's all important, and it's all well and good, and if you want to find out what the proper way to eat a meal at a restaurant is, you can easily find lots of information out there.

But we thought we'd offer some additional tips for you to come off looking polished at your fancy dinner. These aren't all really etiquette tips per se, but you should follow them anyway if you want to come off looking like a gentleman, or even just a polite guy.

Remember not to drink and drive

• If you're driving, take your coat off - it will prevent it from getting wrinkled.  If you're in the back of a limo, you can leave your coat on.  (If you find yourself driving a limo, by the way, your coat should be on).
• When you're walking on a sidewalk, you should always walk between a woman and the curb.  This is an old rule from the time there were horses on the street - the idea was to protect the woman from mud, splashes, etc.  The rule still stands - cars can splash too.

Small gestures can say a lot

• When walking to the table, the lady walks ahead of the man.  He should pull her chair out for her when they get to the table.  If you want to be really formal, anytime a lady gets up from the table, the men should stand up slightly in their seats.  If it's a big group, only her date and the man sitting next to the woman leaving the table need to rise.

• When you get to the restaurant DO NOT drape your coat jacket over the back of your chair. Also, if you are wearing a long tie, DO NOT throw the tie over your shoulder in an effort to prevent it from being stained.  You'll look like a toolbox.

Give the server 30 seconds
of your attention

• When the waiter is telling your table the specials, please look at him/her, and don't zone out.  It's rude.  Also, you may end up hearing something that you like, and if you haven't paid attention you will have to ask the waiter to go through all the specials again.  That's boring for them. Also, if the waiter doesn't tell you how much the special is and you want to order it, it's fine to ask for the price, just do it directly and casually.



Bread - left -- Drinks - right


• Ok, here's the bread on your left, drink on your right rule: your water glass is on the right of your plate - here's a way to remember: make an "OK" sign with both hands, palms facing each other. Your left hand will form a "b" and your right hand will form a "d". Your bread (b) is on the left, and your drinks (water, wine, etc.) (d) are on the right.

• If someone asks for salt, you should pass both the salt and the pepper - they stay together- and don't use them before you pass them on.

• We hate to be a broken record, but please carry some mints.  If the restaurant is loud, you'll be leaning in close to your date to have a conversation.  Sometimes the pleasure of enjoying the taste of your food should take a back seat to having fresh breath.  Plus, you may need the mints after coffee (and later).

Also, remember to hold open doors, both car and restaurant.

Guys - Look Your Best for Prom Photos

There are a lot of articles out there about how girls can look their best in photos.  For example, http://www.promden.com/prom-night-photos.shtml and http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2498493/how_to_look_good_in_photos.html

But we really couldn't find that much information for guys.  So, we put together our thoughts: 


Well fitting clothes will ensure
you look your best



Before the photo is taken:


• Wear a tux that fits.  If your clothes are too tight or too loose, you'll look off.  For your shirt, you should be able to slip two fingers between the buttoned collar and your neck.  Next, pull your pants up, it's a formal occasion.  And the sleeves of your tux should end so that some of the shirt underneath shows.





Don't be afraid to use a little
product in your hair


• Yes, you should probably get a haircut.  But don't do it right before prom - do it at least a week before, even two would be good.  Some say the faux hawk is out.  We say, if you like it, go for it.  Is anyone going to argue with this guy?

• Make sure you bring plenty of mints.  No, your bad breath won't show up in a photo.  Yes, it will show up in the disgusted look your date is making.





Don't forget to smile!

• Practice smiling.  Read this article on looking good in photos:  http://www.askmen.com/grooming/project/7_4-steps-look-good-in-photos.html  Follow what it says, even though it seems weird. 

While the photo is being taken:





Have fun!  It's Prom!


• Relax, it's just a picture. Stand up straight, but don't be unnecessarily stiff. Keep your chin down, chest out, shoulders back.  But not too much. You don't want to look posed.

• Smile.  If you read the article above, by now you've perfected it.  Don't try to look like a thug if you aren't. 


• Yes, you can touch your date.  Don't be awkward, you'll end up looking like Napolean Dynamite.

• Have fun.  That's what this night is all about, isn't it?



After the photo is taken:

• Don't worry if the photo didn't turn out well. There will be plenty more opportunities for you to dress up and get photographed.  Use this as a learning experience, and make sure next time it turns out better. And it probably isn't as bad as these: http://awkwardpromcouples.blogspot.com/

Prom 2011 Trends and Tips

We're right in the middle of prom season and we've seen some trends that we want to share with you, as well as some tips that will help you look your best on prom night!

• Make sure to try on your complete tuxedo when you pick it up.  You want to make sure that you feel comfortable, that your shoe size hasn't changed on you, and that you're ready to go.

• A great look for prom is a black tuxedo with a vest and a long tie.  Many times, the color of the vest and tie match the color of a guy's date's dress.  However, a lot of guys are foregoing wearing a colored vest, and just wearing a colored tie and matching pocket square.

• We're seeing a lot more black bowties this year - it's a classic look that will never go out of style. Pair it with a black vest, and the look is guaranteed to be Bond - not waiter.

Remember, the best accessory is confidence - so make sure you pick a tux in which you feel your best!