Prom night is a high school girl’s opportunity to feel like the center of her own red carpet universe. The experience is a glamorous first taste of life beyond adolescence, which is why her dress needs to be gorgeous. It’s a statement of who she is and what she hopes to become. The trends for 2008 offer something for every figure and personality. In the long, slinky and head-turning department, Tony Bowls’s Paris Collection prom dress ($399) deserves top billing. Available in red or peacock blue charmeuse, the dress has it going on front to back. There are beaded accents, spaghetti straps that criss-cross in back, a front slit and sweep train. A stunner at almost half the price is Mori Lee’s halter gown ($215). In black it’s very grown-up, but it also comes in delightful neon orange and sunlight. Not as slinky but ultra-elegant and flattering is Jovani’s printed chiffon gown ($499) with V-shaped neckline and bugle-beaded torso. Atelier Alyce made sure to include metallic fabrics, which are hot this year, in their line of dresses. The v-neck silver gown ($390) shimmers with silver, gray and bronze sequins over silver netting. Like many of the dresses, it comes with a matching shawl. For young ladies who prefer gold, the design house offers a gold strapless gown ($398) with embroidered bust and rucked torso above a floor-length full skirt. Short dresses make a bouncy alternative for prom. Sherry Hill’s prom dress ($299) is a bit naughty. It’s very short and very black, but the design is sweet, with a sequined sweetheart bodice and layers of tulle netting at the hem. Tony Bowls achieves a more demure and retro effect with his Paris prom dress ($278). It’s a pale pink A-line strapless, with sequins and tulle. The satin ribbon and bow on the empire waist make this a party dress reminiscent of childhood but all grown-up now. A gown that combines pink and black, sexy and understated, is Sherri Hill’s form-fitting polka-dotted heart-shaped strapless gown ($460). It has a high front slit yet whispers girl-next-door. All of the dresses here are from Promgirl.net. To shop for great dresses under $200, try Brides and Prom  and Cinderella’s Closet. Be sure to check the return policy wherever you shop, and be very careful in taking your measurements. Then, enjoy the big night.