Tiger Lili shows off prom gowns

With spring here, fashion industry insiders can't help but think about the prom's cultural importance.

Boys and girls look forward to the magical closing night of high school. But sometimes they feel overwhelmed by everything that it entails. No worries. Prom should be fun!

Finding a prom dress should be a breeze this season as the options look and feel different: Girls are seeing more styles with vintage tulle, asymmetrical designs, mermaid form, bubble hems, ruffles, metallic colors and much shorter lengths. Both girls and their moms will have lots of options that truly fit the girls’ personal style.

Tiger Lili recently showed off some trendy dresses at the second annual Tiger Lili Prom Fashion Show. Models included representatives of high schools from across the state. Proceeds from the sale of all merchandise March 13 went to support the orphanage in the town of Kadoma that store owner Lili Kohr adopted in 2009 as part of an effort called Lili Kohr's Crusade for the Children of Africa.

Here are some tips to help find that perfect dress:

• Show enthusiasm: Girls want the approval of their friends – and their moms. Anyone accompanying a girl to try on prom dresses should take the time to enjoy the moment and offer positive feedback.

• Know what suits different body types: Fuller girls should look for clean, nongraphic silhouettes that don't emphasize curves. Thinner girls should accentuate their toned legs or arms.

• Wear Spanx, the body-shaping undergarment that conceals the extra weight to give a slimmer and shapelier appearance. Besides the iPad, Spanx is the best invention of recent history.

• Listen to what girls are saying about what dresses they will each wear to avoid too much repetition. Some Facebook sites for schools and school groups will even feature pictures of girls and their chosen dresses.

• Pick and choose. With a more limited budget, most families can’t afford everything involved with the prom tradition. Opt for accessories and a pedicure over perfectly matched shoes, for instance.

• Forget the updos. They’re passé. Braids are in this season, as is flowing hair.

• Be practical. Pack the flip flops! By the end of the night, girls will want to let their hair down and toss the heels.

Lili Kohr, owner of Tiger Lili and Mrs. Delaware 2008, has made a career out of empowering women by defining their fashion personality. Her boutiques are centrally located near the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach (18 Rehoboth Ave.) and at the Bayside Tanger Outlets (36706 Bayside Outlets). Join Tiger Lili on Facebook for updates and fashion trends.