Not everyone can drop serious bucks on a dress for prom (especially since you’re going to most likely wear it just once), so here’s five places you can scoop up a prom dress on a budget .
eBay: The online auction site is still is a good option for finding prom dresses on for under $100. Make sure to get the full measurements of the dress (clothing on eBay are often measured flat versus on a person/mannequin) and ask to see several high res pictures
Junior Leagues Thrift Stores: The key to purchasing a prom dress at a thrift store is that the dress shouldn’t look like you “purchased it from a thrift store”. Junior League, a national women’s volunteer organization, Thrift Stores tend to be located in wealthier neighborhoods and often have higher quality dresses (including a nice selection of vintage prom dresses). The prices can be a bit high (at least for thrift stores), but you can and should try to negotiate a lower price.
Cousin/older sister closets: Raiding the closets of a family member or close friend is great way to get a “new-to-you dress” without spending any money. If you’re going for a vintage look, you might want to even look into your grandma’s closet (yes, I know).
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Five Places to Find Prom Dresses on a Budget
If you’re a curvy girl looking for the perfect prom dress, finding something special on a budget can be especially challenging. We’ve done a little footwork, however, and found some picks that just might do the trick, and leave you enough cash to buy a fab pair of shoes, too.
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Plus Size Prom Dresses on a Budget
There are several reasons you SHOULD NOT spend more than $75 (if you can more than $50) on your prom dress.
You’ll probably only wear it once. The memory of the dress will only live in photos in your mom’s living room. Unless you turn into one of those people who wear their high school lettermen jacket in college, it’s not the greatest night of your life (trust me, you’ll have many more). Your local thrift store (especially Salvation Army and Goodwill) are full of prom dresses for under $10, that you can “alter” to fit your style (for inspiration, watch the 80′s Molly Ringwald movie “Pretty in Pink”).
And these great prom dress options below:
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25 Reasons You Shouldn’t Spend More than $75 on Your Prom Dress
When planning for prom, it’s easy to get caught up—the fabulous dress, pretty shoes, sparkling jewelry and chic handbag, not to mention the makeup, hair, mani/pedi . . . and the list goes on. But let’s face it—somebody’s got to pay for all this. Knowing ahead of time how much you’ll need—and, more importantly, how much you can really afford—will make prom much more pleasant for all involved. Some tips for setting a prom budget you (and your parents) can live with:
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How to Create a Prom Budget
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