A brown prom dressfi That's different.

A short brown prom dress. That's really different.

But brown dresses -- short, long and in-between --are among the many prom-fashion options this spring.

Forget options. What about the important stuff: the trendsfi What is the must-have look for prom 2006fi

That depends on who's doing the opining.

Short is the newest trend, say the teen magazines. Also in vogue is every color but black, and "sophisticated" shades such as nude, gold, coffee and bronze are especially trendy.

Long, says Phyllis Brasch Librach, founder of Sydney's Closet, which sells plus-size prom dresses online at sydneyscloset.com.

"Long, sexy and sleek is definitely the hot look," says Librach. Also, "Black is back in style -- big time."

Definitely long, says David Brenner, co-owner of Brenner's Bridal and Dress Shop in Altamonte Springs, Fla. "Prom is a true celebratory occasion, and the girls are going all out. They want long gowns, mermaid or bouffant styles, in bright colors: papaya, lime, lemon, orange, fuchsia, coral. And lots of embellishment."

But at Dillard's in the Florida Mall, mini-length bubble dresses are selling well. So are tea-length frocks with asymmetrical or handkerchief hemlines. And for girls who are undecided, there are "high-low" gowns -- short in front and long in the back.

Stephanie Pavolini, a senior at University High School, has settled on the high-low combination for her dress of turquoise and blue.

"I wanted a knee-length dress, but I wanted it to be formal, so the short-and-long style of my dress was a perfect combination," says Stephanie, 17. "A lot of my friends are worried that a shorter dress would make the occasion less formal."

But Kiki Rodriguez, a junior at Boone High School, says short prom dresses are popular among her friends.

"It's starting to be the new trend," says Kiki, 17. "It's a style you can wear more than once."

For the Boone prom on April 21, she has selected a knee-length white dress trimmed in black at the hemline.

Both students spent $120 for their dresses. On average, prices range from $100 to $350, say area retailers--although some girls splurge on gowns that cost significantly more.

For the most part, it is the mothers who are keen on the shorter styles, says Sonya Holland, owner of Moda in Winter Park. "They're thinking ahead. Short dresses will be more useful for parties and sorority events when their daughters get to college. But for most of the girls, prom is a one-shot deal, and they want a long dress."

As for color, "turquoise is big this year," says Holland. "And apple green. A surprising amount of green. And even some prints."

She also has seen a trend away from heavy beading and lashings of rhinestones and sequins. Instead, the latest designs feature "dressmaker" details, such as ruching, ruffles and corset-style boning. Others sport red-carpet-inspired trains -- which many customers chop off, she says. A train can seriously cramp a dancer's style.

Because most central Florida schools ban prom dresses that reveal the midriff or too much cleavage, girls are turning to halter-neck styles with plunging backs, say area retailers. Also in demand are shoes that combine comfort with style, because schools discourage barefoot dancing.

Amid the myriad prom-dress options, perhaps the strongest trend to emerge this year is a fresh silhouette: fitted through the torso, but with fluid, swingy skirts.

The other key trend is nonconformity.

Every girl wants her dress to be special and different, says Holland. To help her customers avoid the annoyance and embarrassment of showing up at their prom in the same outfit as other girls, she keeps a log of each dress she sells -- the style, color and to which prom it will be worn.

Also, she says, prom fashion is no longer about following trends. It's about options.

And that includes brown prom dresses -- long, short and in-between.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B3.