Finding the right prom dress is a little like choosing a husband.

"I knew I really liked it, but I wanted to be sure so I kept looking around, but I came back to it,'' said Rachel Borowski, 17, of the full-length, dark turquoise strapless gown she eventually chose.

The biggest shopping challenge during this anxiety-ridden rite of passage for teenage girls?

"Finding the special one,'' Rachael said of what she will wear to her prom next month at South Park High School.

In this prom season, South set about answering the question that sets parents' heart aflutter: What happens to your pocketbook when your daughter says "yes" to this most expensive high school event.

Rachel said she began searching for something to wear at the beginning of March and took some friends to help her shop.

The gown which swept her away was found at Babette's After Five in Bridgeville: It's made of sleek, shiny fabric and fashioned in so-called mermaid-style, with a fitted top and flared hemline.

"I was a little scared it might be gone," she said even as she looked at a variety of other shops "just to be sure."

But the store held it while she kept looking.

Finally, her mind made up -- and her friends nodding in approval -- Rachel had to "sell" the dress to her mother, Mary Kay Borowski. Mrs Borowski opened her wallet and closed the deal on the $300 creation.

The dress, err, in the bag, mother and daughter then set out to accessorize. They purchased silver stilettos at Macy's for $70 and a fashion ring at Boscov's for $20.

For earrings and a bracelet, they shopped at Cache South Hills Village and are still choosing from the shop's collection of rhinestone earrings in 25 styles from $24 to $68.

Cache manager Debbie Makowski said that gowns at her store range from $158 to $398, and halter tops; ruching, [folds in the bodice] and plunging necklines are popular.

Printed and beaded gowns are also hot; colors are bright with lots of prints.

Ms. Makowski said that most girls go on a scouting expedition with their friends and often use their cell phones to photograph how they look in a dress. Then mom or dad -- sometimes the whole family -- stops in for a collective blessing before picking up the tab.

Bucking that trend is Peters Township High School senior Alexis Joseph, who said shopping only with mom is a "must.''

Still "sometimes she picks out something hideous, but when I try it on I absolutely fall in love with it,'' said Alexis, 17.

She and her mother, Beth, began shopping 10 days ago, but still no dress.

"I want something that catches my eye the first time,'' the teen said.

Her mom looks for "something classy and elegant, while still being young and fresh.''

The prices they have encountered range from $270 to $600.

"Alexis works and buys things for herself all the time, so I don't mind paying," said Mrs. Joseph said of the entire prom package, which will include shoes, jewelry and a salon appointment for hair and nails.

A shop they plan to visit is Bridal Beginning, 450 Cochran Road, Mt. Lebanon, which specializes in bridal and special occasion dresses. Prices there range from $200 to $800, but there is also a sale rack where selected gowns are 50 percent off, as low as $150.

Owner Pam Olivo said the shop keeps a registry by schools so the same dress won't be sold to two teens going to the same prom.

Mrs. Olivo said full dresses are as popular as slim ones, and the colors this season are bold and bright.

"The girls want to make a statement,'' she said.

Brenda Bruno, a nationwide buyer for Boscov's, which has a store at South Hills Village, said their big prom sellers are sleeveless satin gowns with plunging necklines.

"It's that whole glamour look of the movie stars: long, slim and sleek," she said.

Prices range from $79.99 to $199.

The blue family, ranging from aqua to royal, is in, as are jewel tones and brights, and yellow and kiwi colors, she said.

At Zelenski's Bridal & Prom Shoppe, 409 McKean Ave., Charleroi, Washington County, the choice colors range from the pastels of orange, pink and yellow, to deep blue, moss green, olive green, black and brown.

Best sellers include full gowns in fabrics of taffeta, satin and netting with attached full slips, and strapless gowns in halter style.

Prices start at $219. The most expensive at $549 is full length with a lot of detail, crystals and sequins, and exceptional detail on the bodice.

This season's accessories are big and bold, said store manager Olga Nesti. She pointed out choker-style necklaces and clear, plastic high heels, much like Cinderella's fabled glass slipper.

After 43 years of managing the store and that many prom seasons, it isn't the clothes as much as the girls who have changed, she said.

"Girls today are more outgoing, and tell their mothers what they are going to buy. Way back, mothers made the choices," she said.