Whether you’re in a wedding, going to a wedding, prom, or any other formal evening event, picking up a great (and appropriate) dress can be challenging—and cost a fortune. Have you been to a formal event lately and had to face the challenge? How did you find the perfect formal outfit, on a budget?
Hopefully you don’t have to find anything RIGHT NOW; otherwise you are at the mercy of prices! Having gone through a number of proms with my daughter and also a number of formal military functions, the best luck I’ve had is at Dillards! They have wonderful sales on fancy dresses. Our best buy was a $200 dress for $9.99 (that one was for prom). Mine tended to be in the $40 range. The important point was that we were buying these dresses in August. Also, look closely...one dress had a tear near the hem, but it was far too long for my daughter (so I would have had to hem it anyway), but I asked for, and received, an additional amount off. In addition, I had a long black skirt which I wore on a few occasions. I don’t remember where I bought it, but it wasn’t too expensive and I was able to wear it a number of times.
Several years ago, I was shopping, and I found a black ballgown skirt that was on sale. Turned out that with the sale and coupons, I paid $10 and change for that skirt. It has sat in my closet, coming out whenever I needed something fail-safe. Thanks to Sharon Stone, I can go cheap and wear the skirt with shirts I already have, and it will look amazing.
I guess it all comes down to going simple and basic.
Whatever you do, it’s a good idea to have a fail-safe special occasion outfit in your closet before the special occasion actually comes up. That way, if you do decide to get something new, you don’t have to panic over prices or not finding something right away.
I go to Filene’s Basement! (I seriously should get a job there, I love it so much!) I always peruse their clearance dresses, and if I see one I like that’s a good deal (and I know I have an upcoming event to wear it to), I buy it. Some of my finds: a short, brown strapless dress by Laundry for $13, a long, red strapless dress by BCBG for $40 (more than I would normally spend, but I absolutely love it), and I just got a brown and turquoise dress by XOXO for $10.
Windsor is also a great store for formal dresses. I’m not sure where the nearest store is (the only one I know of is in Toledo, Ohio), but this is their web site: http://www.windsorstore.com. It’s a really fun store - I liked to browse there in college, and wish I had one near me for formal dance shopping in high school!
Machazait, i agree - it’s good to have a ready-to-go outfit in your closet. If you’re stuck finding something at the last minute, you’re bound to pay too much for it!
I agree about Windsor. Great store. I had my bridesmaids purchase their dresses there for my wedding, and they were 1/2 what David’s would have charged.
i don’t really have a particular store to shop in which makes it difficult. there’s not one shop that i think has consistent good dresses. i’ve also noticed that when i do need one, that’s when all the good dresses disappears! i think i’m jinxed. =/
My suggestion for you is to place a special occasion outfit at the top of your shopping list and look for one whenever you shop, even if you don’t have any special events coming up. When you do find things, don’t settle. Get only pieces that work. This way, you’ll have a fail-safe, go-to outfit whenever you have an event, and even if you do consider buying a new one, you won’t be at the mercy of selections and prices.
My cousin is marrying off her oldest daughter this summer, so I need an outfit for that. Most women in my situation would look at their crammed wardrobes and think “I have nothing to wear.” I have a separate closet for Sabbath and special occasion outfits, and I have a lot of amazing separates that give me a lot of choices. So my problem is that I look at my special occasion things and wonder “which one am I going to wear?”
By the way, separates are a great way to put together a special occasion outfit without spending a lot of money.
almost all brand that makes formal wear are a bit expensive. hard to find cheap formal wear. i would like to know about some such brand that makes formal wear both expensive and cheap.
i always prefer buying from popular brand because their fitting is good. and cheap clothes are often poor in quality and does not fits good on me. :(
any online shops where i can find formal wear for cheap?
please help..
Dillard’s does often have geat sales, and I agree with the advice to buy an outfit on sale before you need it, if at all possible. I would also suggest checking out Goodwill and consignment stores, if you have time. People often wear stuff and give it away, and many things are in great shape. :-)
Oh man this is so great for me right now. I have formal wear at the top of my list for several reasons. One, I’m a musician, and most of my “concert black” is just plain worn out. So that needs replacing. Two, I have a wedding to go to in July, which is “formal attire requested” argh. Shopping here I go. I don’t have a DIllards, but I intend to hit up TJmaxx or the outlet mall near me until I find something. The concert black I can wait for sales on, but the wedding outfit needs to be done by July. And its an evening wedding. Wish me luck!
I think every fashion guru advises women to have an LBD (little black dress). It has to fit well, but if it’s simple, it can go anywhere and look different with different accessories. And if it’s simple, it won’t be overly expensive. You also have the option of an LBST (little black skirt and top). Either way, you can’t go wrong.
