Customer Spotlight: Claire

Name: Claire

Age: 17

School: Highland

Grade: Junior

Hobbies: Reading, playing guitar, cross country running

Favorite quote: “Happiness is a state of mind.”

Fashion icon: Lucy Hale {ed. note: love her!}

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?: I hope to be finishing college and starting my career as an author. :)

The Countdown: Our Favorite Links This Week

This week’s Countdown celebrates all things new and exciting! From new fall collections to new pageant news, here are our favorite prom, pageant and fashion links this week!

We shared how excited we were about Shail K. and Sherri Hill’s new fall collections and this week designer Mac Duggal pulled out all the stops and debuted their own fall collection. We especially love their new Royalty line of gowns! They’ll be perfect for homecoming courts and fall pageants! {Mac Duggal}

We can’t wait to see who the new Miss USA will be! Tickets to this amazing event are now on sale {as of 1 PM ET} and are going fast, so be sure to grab them while you can! If you’d rather watch from the comfort of your own couch, the pageant airs live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas June 16th at 9 PM ET on NBC.

We’ll also soon be welcoming a new Miss Utah USA and Miss Utah Teen USA. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the 2014 titleholder, the pageant is now accepting applications! The pageant will be held October 24-26th at the Austad Theatre in Ogden, Utah.

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo rang in a new milestone this week. The gorgeous beauty queen turned 21 on Wednesday and celebrated in style! She started her birthday bash in New York City on the World Yacht with a delicious cake from Carlos Bakery of Cake Boss fame. She {along with Miss USA Nana Meriwether} headed to Asian Fusion restaurant Tao for dinner and finished up the night at NYC hotspot Marquee. Happy Birthday, Olivia!! {NY Post + MUO Facebook}

And finally, we love it when we find new inspiration! This week, we posted on our favorite punk trends from this year’s Met Gala and can’t wait to try some of them out!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Customer Spotlight: Courtney

We LOVE our Ypsilon Girls! From helping them pick out that perfect dress to hearing about how their night was amazing, we <3 what we do! Courtney says, “{You’re} so helpful when trying to find a dress that you have in mind!” One of our favorite parts about helping each Ypsilon Girl pick out a dress is really finding the dress that fits their “vision” of perfectly perfect!

Thanks for the kind words Courtney! Here’s a little bit more about this Ypsilon Girl.

Name: Courtney

Age: 18
School: Bountiful High 
Grade: Senior

Favorite part of shopping at Ypsilon: They are so helpful when trying to find a dress that you have in mind!

What are your favorite hobbies? I love playing soccer and any other sports. I love you sing and play guitar

Where do you see yourself in 5 years: In 5 years I see myself graduated from college working as a nurse helping kids!

What’s your favorite quote? “I’ve worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.” - Mia Hamm

The Countdown: Our Favorite Links This Week

Awhile back we had a weekly list called The Countdown that featured our favorite links for the week and now it’s up and running again! Check back every Friday for plenty of fashion, prom and pageant love from around the web.

This week’s Countdown is feeling the love for pageants and some absolutely amazing collections for fall from Jovani, Shail K. and Sherri Hill. Plus, the sun is shining and it’s Friday. Could it get any more perfect?!?

Jovani posted this gorgeous behind-the-scenes photo of model Raina Hein posing in a jaw dropping pageant dress from Jovani Pageant. The gold. The glitter. The sparkle. Can’t even handle it. It even has an open back. Love it. {Jovani}

Keeping up with a few of our favorite pageant ladies, this weekend is the 139th Kentucky Derby and Miss America Mallory Hagan went for a beautiful Old Hollywood Glam look for the Julep Ball which benefits the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. Such a classic and classy look for a classic event! We’re a sucker for a bold red lip! Miss Teen USA Logan West also dressed up for a good cause this week. She sported a bright yellow v-neck dress at the Project Sunshine Annual Gala which provides free educational, recreational and social programs to children and their families living with medical challenges. {Miss America Instagram + Miss Teen USA FB}

And finally, looking forward to the fall and holiday collections from your favorite designers? They have granted your wish! Jovani gave us a sneak peek at this leather and lace look for their holiday collection. Shail K. showcased their entire Fall 2013 collection on their website {amazing!} and Sherri Hill started the most beautiful countdown on the web counting down the days to their own fall collection! Can’t wait to see all the great looks and to get in some of these dresses! {Jovani + Shail K. + Sherri Hill}

Ultimate Guide to Prom Dress Trends

This week, as Prom season winds down, we’re gathering up our favorite Prom hairstyles and favorite Prom dress styles we posted this season. Monday we posted our ultimate guide to Prom hairstyles for 2013. Today we’re sharing our ultimate collection of Prom dress trends as chosen by our stylish Ypsilon Girls! We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again, Ypsilon Girls have great taste! 

Sparkle and Shine

Sequins and sparkle are a Prom must and this year was no different! Ypsilon Girls loved head-to-toe sparkle {especially with one of our next top trends}. Styles like Tony Bowls TBE11263, a sparkling chiffon dress with a sequined bodice and cascading sequins on a sweep train was a beautiful ways to showcase sequins. For all out glam, Jovani Prom 4603 was a great choice! Sparkling mirror sequined beading along nude chiffon elongated waists and turned heads! Finally, Jovani Evenings 82 and its sleeveless lace bodice and embellished lace was a sweet take on sequins and sparkle.

Nice and Neutral

Neutrals like Ivory, Nude and barely-there Peachy Champagnes were among the most popular of trends {at Prom and all over the red carpet, too!}.Styles in Ivory like Terani Prom 95007P , were beautiful covered in lines of beautiful multicolored sequins that really popped against the neutral dress fabric. In Nude, dresses like Jovani Evening 3837 featured wonderful lace overlay, sweetheart neckline and floral appliques. In Peach, dresses like  Sherri Hill 21069 looked romantic and alluring with mermaid silhouettes, cap sleeves and floral appliques.

Black and White

Celebrities like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian love this trend and so did you! Ypsilon Girls looked amazing at Prom in all-over-black, winter white and gorgeous combinations of the two. Dresses like La Femme 17441 were some of our favorite long black dresses. Sexy, sophisticated and a gorgeous way to wear black to Prom! For an elegant winter white dresses, La Femme 17521 was an amazing option. Sophisticated, flowing and sweet, these dresses were classic and timeless. Combining the best of both worlds, Tony Bowls TBE11310 was a glam black and white mermaid we just loved!

Colorful Crush

Though neutrals and black and white were definitely trendy, Ypsilon Girls also loved pops of color. From purple, pink and teal {and more!}, color was all over the dance floor. Purple dresses like Jovani Prom 3104 were graceful with touches of sparkle. Purples were a wonderful way to make an elegant impression. Bright pink gowns like Alyce Prom 6014 were playful and a perfect flirty spin on the classic Prom look. For a color that’s trendy, but not overdone, a cool teal dress like La Femme 16687 were excellent choices especially because they work well with almost any skin tone!

Beautiful Ballgowns

Beautiful ballgowns are a timeless Prom silhouette that topped the trend charts year after year, including this one! For elegant grace, dresses like Sherri Hill 2984 featured delicate details like sweet cap sleeves, lace detail and sparkling sequins. Those looking for a bold, statement making Prom dress, dresses like Jovani Prom 17211 stood out in a bright way. Bold pink, a big bow and glittering embellishments made this dress a gorgeous spotlight-stealer! Fashion forward Ypsilon Girls loved Flirt Prom P5629 with its feathered bodice, bold color and jeweled waistband.

Marvelous Mermaids

Last, but definitely not least, Ypsilon Girls loved the curve hugging mermaid silhouette. Chic, dramatic and a little bit sexy, we loved seeing this style! Dresses like the sparkling Jovani 7802 were a hit with glamor girls. Fashionistas loved dresses like Mac Duggal Prom 7242M for its amazing beaded design and feathered skirt. Dresses like Jovani Prom 2579 were perfect for combing color and a fantastic mermaid silhouette.

Our Ultimate Guide to Prom Hairstyles

This week, as Prom season winds down, we’re gathering up our favorite Prom hairstyles and favorite Prom dress styles we posted this season. From vintage to wavy to rock star chic here it is — our ultimate collection of Prom hairstyles for 2013. Check back on Wednesday for our ultimate collection of Prom dress styles.

Braided Beauty

{Waterfall Braid | Crown Braids | Flowered Braid}

Braids were a huge hit and showed up on the biggest night of the school year in romantic and bohemian chic ways. A waterfall braid was a beautiful way to show off a head of curls or to give thinner hair some extra umph! A half updo of crown braids gave a flowing gown a boho way to compliment natural beauty. Pretty floral pins added to a braided updo adds added little something romantic and sweet without being over-the-top cutesy.

Bombshell Bows

The Countdown: Our Favorite Links This Week

Awhile back we had a weekly list called The Countdown that featured our favorite links for the week and now it’s up and running again! Check back every Friday for plenty of fashion, prom and pageant love from around the web. {Please forgive the late post! :)}

Prom season is winding down and we’re gearing up for pageants! We loved seeing what our Ypsilon Girls chose to rock this Prom season and can’t wait to see what they pick for pageants. Whether you’re needing a boost for Prom or looking forward to a killer pageant, this workout will help get you looking great in those strapless, halter or one shoulder dresses! And, to make sure your gym bag is in top form, this post from the ladies at Birchbox will help you sweat in style. {Blogilates + Birchbox}

If strapless, halter or one shoulder dresses aren’t your style, we posted some amaaazing modest dresses on the blog last week. All those myths about modest dresses? Totally busted. Dresses from Sherri Hill, Terani and Jovani make being modest anything but boring!

Modesty was a hot topic on the east coast, too. Strapless dresses received some fire from the principal of a New Jersey junior high school last week. She banned the strapless dresses at the junior high dance saying the would be “distracting.” Parents were livid and petitioned the school board. Read the full article here and tell us what you think! {Reuters}

And finally, are you looking forward to the Miss USA pageant as much as we are!? The profiles for the 2013 competition are up! Take a look at your favorite contestants here. We also loved hosting the Casting Call on Friday and Saturday with the Executive Director of the Miss UT USA and Miss UT Teen USA Pageants! She answered all kinds of questions about the upcoming pageant. Can’t wait to get this season started off right! {Miss USA}

Modest Dress Myths: Busted

To be honest, modest dresses have a reputation of being…well…frumpy, unstylish and {most of all} difficult to find. But! You don’t have to sacrifice modesty for style or spend hours searching for a dress that has both the unique design and coverage you want! Ypsilon carries gorgeous dresses from designers like Sherri Hill, Terani and Jovani that make being modest anything but boring and basic. We’re busting the top three modest dress myths below.

Myth Number One: Modest dresses are frumpy and will make me look like my grandma. Or a potato sack.

We’re sure your grandma is lovely, but we know you don’t exactly want to steal her style. To prove that modest dresses can be anything but frumpy, we’re starting with Sherri Hill 1583 and Sherri Hill 2981. Both are in a bright white and gold color combo that’s dazzling. White and gold are huge color trends this season and putting both of them together makes them look even better! Sherri Hill 1583 is an all figure-flattering a-line and Sherri Hill 2981 is a hot fit-and-flare style we’ve seen a lot of Ypsilon Girls choose and absolutely love! Both show off your figure in a gorgeously modest way!

Myth Number Two: Modest dresses are totally untrendy.

Not always! Modest dresses can be on trend! We’ve picked two amazing gowns from Terani that mimic looks seen on some of our favorite celebs. Rhianna rocked a bright red dress similar to Terani M1445 at the 2013 Grammy Awards and everyone from Taylor Swift to Megan Fox has slipped into a black gown with sheer details like Terani GL1414. The good news? Both totally modest and totally trendy. Myth=Busted.

Myth Number Three: Modest dresses all look the same.

These dresses from Jovani prove that modest can also be totally unique. These dresses stand out all on their own! Jovani 9873 features a beautiful lace detail with pretty floral appliques. Jovani 4780 features that trendy sheer look we loved above with ruffles, a deep red color and quarter length sleeves.Both dresses take classic looks and give them a twist! No outfit repeating here!

Gorgeous Dresses in Classic Spring Colors

Spring has finally sprung at Ypsilon. Though we’ve still got on our rain boots, we know that after the rain comes all those beautiful spring colors in gorgeous flowers. We’ve been inspired by those beautiful blooms and selected our favorite prom and pageant dresses that match up with our favorite flowers.

Red Tulips

Tulips in red mean elegance and grace. Red is a vibrant color that makes any girl wearing it feel powerful and passionate. A very strong color for spring! Tony Bowls TBE21281 and Faviana 7122 are both striking dresses that will capture and command the attention of any room! Tony Bowls is a knock out, form enhancing gown and Faviana is a trendy dress with sexy cutouts.

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Yellow Daffodil

Daffodils in bright yellow mean new beginnings—just like spring. Yellow is a cheerful color that puts any girl who wears it in a happy mood! Sherri Hill 1539 and La Femme 17739 are two gorgeous yellow dresses that are sure to put a smile on your face. Sherri Hill is a fun, flirty yellow dress and La Femme is perfect for a simple, chic dress.

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Pink Cherry Blossom

Cherry blossoms in sweet pink mean beauty and simplicity. Pink is a sweet color that is perfect for the girly girl. Jovani 85131 and Alyce Prom 6085  are both soft, shimmering dresses that will bring out your inner princess. Jovani is a simple, sleek dress and Alyce Prom is filled with frothy layers.

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Lilac Lilacs

Lilac lilacs mean new love. Lilac is asoft color that will bring out any girl’s romantic side. Dave & Johnny 8075  and Tony Bowls GL367 are two sweet dresses with a very dreamy look. Dave & Johnny is a minimalistic dress with a single embellishment that really wows and Tony Bowls is stunning with a beautiful beaded floral design.

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The Countdown: Our Favorite Links This Week

Awhile back we had a weekly list called The Countdown that featured our favorite links for the week and now it’s up and running again! Check back every Friday for plenty of fashion, prom and pageant love from around the web.

What a crazy week. We’re happy we can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to unwinding this weekend. Lots of serious events around the country and we’re sharing some lighthearted news to keep up your spirits.

On the blog, we posted our favorite looks from the MTV Movie Awards this week. Wow! There were some amazingly stylish looks from gold dresses to red hot dresses to bright white dresses! We also featured our favorite long and short dresses with dramatic bows. The light pink Flirt Prom dress might be our favorite of the bunch.

Though we’re partial to the awesome hairstyle ideas we’ve pinned on our Pinterest and posted about here, these 10 Prom Updo Ideas from Birchbox are right on! Especially loving the tutorials for curly hair and sexy chignons. {Birchbox}

On the pageant scene, our favorite ladies have been busy as ever!

Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen had an exciting announcement this week. Jessica introduced an essay contest where participants have a chance to win a lunch with her and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Rachel Wyatt when she visits Utah in May. These girls are amazing! Check out the MUOT website for all the official deets. {MUOT}

Miss Utah USA Marissa Powell stopped by Ypsilon and tried on some beautiful gowns. Love her! Which gown is your favorite? She looks so gorgeous—we love them all!

Miss Arizona USA Rachel Massie participated in Operation That’s My Dress at Fort Hood in Texas last Saturday. This USO operation provides gorgeous dresses for over 200 military wives and daughters. Rachel {and 16 other Miss USA title holders} modeled a selection of dresses from designer Sherri Hill. Yet another reason to love Miss Arizona USA and Sherri Hill. Great cause. {Pageant Update}

And finally, most importantly: **we’re cheering for the city of Boston tonight.**