where can i buy an affordable prom dress?

Question

i have been looking online for a while now looking for an affordable prom dress. I don't see the point in paying hundreds of dollars for a dress you will only wear once. Even though prom comes once a year, i would like to know if any of you know where to buy afforable prom dresses that aren't cheaply made, but are simply good dresses for a great price. The ones i have seen so far have been $120+ and i was planning on paying less than that for mine. So if you got a great price on your prom dress, please share your story and let me know how much you spent. thank you

Answer 1

I am way past the age of prom but I'm in my 20s and consider myself to be stylish. I go to weddings and formal events 1-2 times a year and I almost never pay full price for my dresses.

My latest dress was a floor length Tracy Reese %100 silk gown. I bought it as Daffy's. It was originally $400, I got it for $85. No one would have known that I got such an elegent designer dress for less than $100.

Before that I bought a formal lace and chiffon Jessica McClintock gown from Lord and Taylor department store sale rack for $100, originally $300. Department stores usually have generous sales. You just have to search the sale rack.

I also would suggest looking at Loehman's, TJMaxx, Marshalls, or any other outlet type store.
If you live near a Zara or an H&M store, they have semi-formal dresses for less than $100. And make sure you search the internet. Try the sale section of edressme.com

Good Luck. I remember my prom and the excitement of finding just the right dress. I'm sure you'll find one you love for $100 or less.

Answer 2

www.formalwearoutlet.com

I don't know where you live, but these warehouses are in North Carolina. Hillsborough and Wilmington. They have discontinued styles of prom dresses that are brand new. And wow, no matter what the original cost, they are only $90 each. Unfortunately, they do not sell through the web site. Last year, my daughter got one for $80.00.

Check to see if they have clearance racks at local formalwear shops and bridal shops. Sometimes, they have things marked down pretty well. My daughter's friend found the perfect dress at a second hand store that had a formal section, but she still paid about $100 for it.

This is the prime season for prom dress shopping, so good deals will be harder to find, but if you aren't really picky, you might be able to find something. Sometimes, the quality retail stores have clearance racks - - - this year my daughter found one and after 2 additional discounts, got it for $35.00 (it had a small tear in the seam). It was originally $160.00. (she got it back in the summer though....)


Also, you might want to ask around to see if you could borrow one from a girl who graduated high school a couple of years ago and would be willing to loan it out.

Another idea is to ask your local dry cleaner owner. Sometimes they have an inside track on where people bought their dresses. Or they might possibly have dresses that were never picked up that they are willing to sell.

One more suggestion . . . . if you know of someone who sews, you could even go that route, if you are content to go with a simpler style and not a lot of frills.

Have fun shopping!!!!

Answer 3

Since Prom Dresses can be a drag because they cost a lot, how about trying to find someone who knows how to make dresses, and if someone in your family can make it. Other suggestion, go to a bridal place and maybe see about bridesmaids type of dresses and see if there is anything good. Do not spend more than $150.00, thats a waste of a dress, suggest try find a dress you probably would wear again and again later on in your life.

Answer 4

Maybe you can have one made for you. If somebody in your family sews, that would be great. if not, you can check out a few alteration shops or tailors in your phone book. really simple styles in silk or satin look great with a unique color (especially bronze or gold) and will fit you perfectly. I always did this in the past because I was so small and hard to fit, but always got complements on my dresses and rarely paid more than 100$. More money for accessories. Good luck!

Answer 5

If you are looking for a designer prom dress, I found mine at www.discountpromshop.com. They have Jovani and Alyce dresses at a discount at cheaper prices. I still ended up spending around $200, but it's worth it for the quality and I actually think I could wear it again.

Answer 6

Consignment shops are great-lots of people wear these types of dresses only once and then want to try to recover a little money for it. Also, some bridal stores have discontinued dresses or last years style on sale and they look great! Good luck and have fun!

Answer 7

Hey Girl...

I bought my senior prom dress for 60$ at Filenes. It was very simple, but had a silky shimmer to it so it looked elegant with sparkly accessories.

I would check out Filenes, or maybe Kohls, and if you look hard enough, you may find something a little cheaper.

Answer 8

Try Charlotte Russe...they also have really cute accessories there too....really cheap! For a dress you might spend 40-70 dollars tops. The stuff there is pretty trendy though.

Answer 9

See if there is a Deb near you. They sell very cute dresses anywhere from $30-$80, which isn't very expensive at all. I've bought from there a few times. Just beware of the glittery dresses, the glitter goes EVERYWHERE, so I only buy one of those when my boyfriend's tux is rented.

Answer 10

first off my magazines that say they have a prom speacial in them.
i know,seventeen makes a whole huge mag. jsut for it.
it includes dresses of all prices,shoes,makeup,quizes and hairstyles, and even the bra you should be wearing!

if you have and egdy style,like me, try hot topic. they are affordable.
and also try a nearest vintage/thrift shop.
theres some cute stuff in there!!