Find an Elegant, Formal Prom Dress (for Cheap)

Just saw another teen on line wondering how to get up hundreds of dollars for a prom dress. Jeez. I dress formally quite nicely and NEVER spend that much. From my years of being a Hollywood actress (minor but still there), I have picked up some tips on dressing formally ON A BUDGET.

Think VINTAGE - even big stars are wearing famous fashion names from years ago. The quality is much better and it retains its value so you can RESELL it. Why should you wear polyester chiffon, when you can wear silk? And the small sizes of yesteryear are great for teens - I wore a vintage flowered silk chiffon to a Screen Actor's Guild gala and looked fabulous.

Ditto RESALE SHOPS. Socialites, etc wear dresses once and then recycle them. You can get great stuff quite inexpensively. Besides shopping there will give you an idea of what quality is - which you will never get from your local department store nowadays. (And again, smaller sizes are the best deals - but you can even find resale for Plus sizes.....) Better quality wears well - so even if it's been cleaned, etc. - it won't have fallen apart.... (I have a GORGEOUS golden evening jacket of kimono brocade sitting in the closet waiting for a place to wear - gotten in a resale shop in Santa Barbara.)

SHOP THRIFT SHOPS in upscale neighborhoods. My best buy was a never worn Bill Blass designer brown velvet dress with a chiffon top and copper sequins - with the Saks 5th Ave. price tag still on it for $15!!! (the tag read $250 & that was a few years ago...) I get all my designer things from thrift shops!

GO TO YOUR LOCAL FASHION DISTRICT AND BUY WHOLESALE. There is a tremendous markup in clothing. A fashion stylist friend took a prom goer to the L.A. Fashion District and got a whole prom outfit, including wrap, shoes and bag for less than $100!!! (the same stuff you would get at Macy's, say for many times as much). This has the advantage of the latest styles and hot brands. Samples come in small sizes and are a great deal, too.

START BUILDING YOUR WARDROBE. I have jewelry my grandmother gave me in high school, and vintage evening bags I inherited. Don't squander your $ on cheapos from the mall, when you can have a really nice piece and wear it for years to come.

BORROW A DRESS. It's a one shot deal. Do you have any older relatives/cousins/friends in neighboring towns of more or less the same size? Borrow a dress from them. It used to be quite common for women to share clothes. Some Southern socialite relations of a friend back in the 30's all pooled their resources for one really terrific expensive dress and then passed it around!

RENT a dress. In some cities there are places you can actually RENT women's formal wear. The men have been doing it for years, why not take your turn?

DON'T SPEND A LOT ON SHOES. You will more than likely wear them only once or twice for a few hours. And cheap shoes will hold up for that long and look good - I had a pair of taffeta mules I wore for my wedding which only lasted the day - but I am not going to get married again anytime soon - so who cares? Go to Payless!!!

BORROW ACCESSORIES. What does you Mom have, your aunt, your grandmother, even? They probably have wraps and bags and rhinestones tucked away. The older costume jewelry is really so much nicer than anything you can get today....

START PLAIN and make adjustments. Add your own decorative trim to a slip dress - a ribbon - lace - bling - Don't settle for the glue on glitter - although you might glue on your own.....Or get a stud machine & put on your own rhinestone studs....

START BUILDING YOUR WARDROBE. I have jewelry my grandmother gave me in high school, and vintage evening bags I inherited. Don't squander your $ on cheapos from the mall, when you can have a really nice piece and wear it for years to come.

DO YOUR OWN HAIR AND MAKEUP. Most young girls would do best with minimal makeup. If you need lessons, get a free makeover at the mall. DO WEAR NICE PERFUME. It makes all the difference. HAVE A RELATIVE DO YOUR NAILS.

These are all skills which will come in very handy as you go out into the great world. You will be on the road to developing your own chic, your own style. Nothing does more for a woman than knowing how to dress well without breaking the bank. You can mix and match expensive with vintage with bargain basement. That's what all the real fashionistas do, anyway. It's all about creating a beautiful image. Even stylists step out of convention to create an alluring picture. They wrap necklaces around wrists for beautiful bracelets. They put pins in hair - They put earring clips on plain pumps....They mix rhinestones with the real thing. (Chanel was famous for piles of faux and real pearls all together!)

Make sure everything FITS. Fit is paramount - fit, and what flatters you. Don't be a fashion victim. If you have nice shoulders, show them off - don't cover up nice legs.....If you aren't in love with your upper arms, cover them up....

If you learn any of these lessons, you will set yourself far above the average mall rat! And have a lovely prom. With some elements to stow away for galas to come!