Spring in State College means two things: hopefully lots of sunshine and formals.

All Penn State students must beware of spring formal fashion faux pas and obey the fashion rules of the season.

Rule #1: Less is more when it comes to the dress.

"It's less about detail and more about the texture of the fabric," said Caroline Mansur (sophomore-art history and French), employee of Gia & Company located on 114 S. Allen St.

"The satin texture makes for a pretty elegant gown and feels a little more dressy," Mansur said. "It's about lines and silhouettes than a lot of detail."

While Mansur said Gia & Company has been selling out of their yellow dresses, basic black is always a popular choice as well.

Employee Abbey Zembower (senior-liberal arts) of Connections, 130 S. Allen St., said they have been selling a lot of Free People dresses.

"The girls want to have more fun with it and be creative," said Zembower.

Rule #2: You don't have to shop a month before to look fabulous.

Mansur said people usually come in one to two weeks before a formal to select a dress.

"You get more selection if you come in early - no one wants to just grab a dress off the rack," Mansur said.

In addition, Zembower said they get lots of shoppers the day of the event.

Employee Alyssa Crissman (senior-English) of Sydney Mac, located on 115 E. Beaver Ave., agreed.

"There are some people who come in two months in advance, but a lot of people do it more last minute," Crissman said. "There are a lot of people coming in this week to get stuff for formals."

Rule #3: A great dress doesn't have to cost you a weekend's spending money.

Mansur said Gia & Company's price of dresses vary.

Shorter dresses usually run $60 to $100, depending on when a person comes in, and longer dresses run about $50 to $220. Mansur also said a lot of Gia & Company's formal and cocktail dresses are still on sale.

Rule #4: Guys don't have to wear a black suit.

Zembower said most guys are purchasing suits with a tie "that really pops." The black shirts are also really popular, she said.

Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren suits are their best sellers. Also, brown tuxedos are surprisingly popular, she said.

Rule #5: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.

Employee Elizabeth Heidt (sophomore-education) of Crushed Ice, 358 E. College Ave., said they have been selling a lot of big diamond stud earrings and oversized bangle bracelets.

Crissman also said Sydney Mac has been selling a lot of big chunky necklaces and earrings as well. Every color, she said, especially neutral colors, have been selling well.

Rule #6: Hair can go up or down.

Employee Amy Miller (sophomore-human development and family studies) of Euphoria, 213 Calder Way, said a lot of people have been coming in for up-do styles, usually all up in curls, and a lot of girls have been coming in for highlights lately.

People usually book a few days ahead of time, she said.

Employee Jessica Scott of Designers Denn, 208 Calder Way, said college girls usually come in for blowouts or straight hair with curls at the end.

"Some girls really like to go all out with their hair up and other girls blow their hair out. It's from one extreme to the next...there's really not a certain trend they go with," she said.