How to Find a Cheap Prom Dress

Your mom has ruled that you cannot spend big bucks on a prom dress and you are trying to figure out what to do. You want to look fabulous, but how can you do that "on the cheap"?

Let your fingers do the walking

Your local phone book's yellow pages will list dress shops, discount bridal shops, and dress rental shops, so start out by making a list of where you want to go. Pick three or four stores from each category and map out ones that are near one another to help you save time while you are on the hunt for your perfect dress.

Rent Haute Couture & Consignment Stores

Don't rule out renting a dress before you check your local shops and see what is available. Renting can save a small fortune and rental places are pretty good about keeping up with current trends, so you just might find your dream dress for less. Check out clothing consignment stores in wealthier neighborhoods and you'll find quality designer clothing at deep discounts. Consignment stores are often very picky about only accepting current fashions, so your dress might be waiting on a rack in a store near you.

Post an ad on Craigslist

Since prom dresses are only worn once, there is a great chance you can find a barely worn one and spend next to nothing. Craigslist is an excellent place to start looking. If you have never used Craigslist before, simply go to craigslist.org and you'll see a list of states. Click on your state, which will pull up another list of cities. Find your city, or the closest large city and click the link. From there you will see a blue header that says "For Sale" and about halfway down that list is clothing and accessories. When I checked my city, I saw dresses selling from $30-125!

You've got a friend in me!

There is nothing wrong with putting the word out and letting friends help you solve your dilemma. Your good friend Suzie just might have an older sister who is a clothes hound and who might be willing to lend a dress as a favor? For the cost of a dry cleaning after the last dance of the evening, you could score something really fabulous and by spending so little, maybe your mom will spring for fancier accessories?

You'll find it on eBay!
If Ebay was a store, can you imagine how huge it would be?  People living all over the world are selling goods on ebay, and prom dresses abound.  Just be careful and do your homework.  Buy from sellers with good, established feedback and have your mom help you take very careful measurements, so you buy a size that will fit.  When you are bidding, be ready to walk away if bids get higher than you can spend and be sure to take shipping costs into consideration when deciding how much you can spend.
Finding the perfect one-of-a-kind dress just takes a little time and creativity.  Spend your time and save your money for photographs and a limo!