Actress Sharon Stone once shocked the public when she attended the Academy Awards wearing a top from the Gap. The most shocking thing about it was: she looked incredible. Pairing her shirt with a full-length skirt, the actress proved that style is about much more than money.
When you shop for a prom dress this year, keep an open mind and you might find that spending less may just lead to a more unique dress than you ever imagined. Here are ten tips for finding a cheap prom dress that will make you look like a star on your special night.
1) Move to the Back
The trendiest dresses are usually displayed in front windows and in eye-catching prom displays. Guess what? These are usually the most expensive dresses. You might be tempted to wear a dress in a style you've seen on television or in magazines, but think to the future. The trendier a dress is at this moment, the more lame it will look in just a few years. That polyester patchwork prom dress your Mom wore was trendy in its day, too.
The gowns on the sale rack in the back of the prom section may be less popular, but you will be more likely to find a classic style that will still look elegant when you look at your prom photos with your grandchildren. You can save money as well as save your future self from cringing.
2) Stay Simple
Why does the dress have to carry all the bling? The more sequins and frou-frou added to the prom dress, the more dollars are added to its cost. Consider a simple sheath dress in a dramatic color you love, then add an eye-popping accessory to make it special. Remember Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's? A plain black dress can make you look like a princess when you add a tiara and elbow-length gloves.
What about a pretty pink dress paired with a crown of fresh flowers? Or a white gown with a faux fur stole? The possibilities for dramatic accessories are increased when the dress is more basic, and the amount you save can allow you a bigger accessory budget to play with.
3) Split it Up
There's no rule that says your prom dress has to actually be a dress. A fancy top can be paired with a full-length skirt to create an evening look that is glamorous but unique. Remember Sharon Stone's Oscar ensemble? Shop for a long, full skirt in the formal section and you'll pay a fraction of the cost of a whole dress. Pair it with a sparkly halter for a fun and flirty look, or a ruffled silk blouse and a wide patent belt for a sophisticated look worthy of the cover of Vogue.
4) Shop Like a Bride
Bridal shops are an often overlooked place to find formal wear for non-wedding occasions. Bridesmaids dresses come in an array of colors and styles that are suitable for the prom, and bridal shops are more likely to have huge clearance sections. Wedding party dresses are usually bought in groups, so when a shop has only one left of a particular dress, the price is slashed.
Check to see if you have a wedding outlet store in your area or one of the many David's Bridal chains. David's Bridal is known for their low sale prices, and they also carry a wider range of sizes than most retail stores.
5) Recycle
Used dresses are worth considering, especially since you're dealing with an item that has probably only been worn one time. Check online auction sites and even local newspaper ads to see if you can find one in your size and style. If at all possible, try to find a version of the same dress in a store and try it on. At the very least, try on dresses by the same company or designer to get an idea of how their sizes run.
Ask a lot of questions of the seller, and ask about a return policy. Thrift stores can sometimes yield lucky scores, but shop early and often: others are looking for bargains too. Don't forget to put out the word that you're looking for a dress, either. Your cousin's preacher's eye doctor's niece might have one just your size in the closet you can have for free.
6) Go Retro
Vintage stores and antique shops can set you up with a dreamy gown from another era, whether you want a Victorian lace confection or a 50s bombshell look. Shop carefully, as some older dresses can end up costing more than a new one. More modern vintage items sell for much less, though, so you might just snag an 80s era Jessica McClintock butterfly-sleeve dress for chump change.
If unusual looks are what you're after, you might be daring enough to consider renting a dress from a costume shop. If you want to be completely unique, show up at the prom in Renaissance splendor, or even as Scarlett O'Hara. Rental costs are always less than the price of buying, and you have the extra added bonus of being in the spotlight for your bold choice.
7) Get a Job
If you have your sights set on a particular dress that's beyond your means, see if the shop needs any extra help. Some stores might be thrilled to have a younger girl working during prom season to help sell dresses. Working a few nights a week temporarily will help you get some quick bucks, but the best part is: the employee discount.
Stores frequently give discounts to their clerks that can be as much as 25% off of the total cost. You might even be able to have the dress put on hold until you've earned enough to pay for it.
8) Do Some Talking
One of the best ways to get discounts on a dress is one that few people use, but can be successful more often than not. Simply ask the store for a discount. Believe it or not, some stores have a high enough markup that they're willing to take a certain percentage off.
If you ask, some clerks will give you helpful tips, like guiding you to a store coupon in the paper or alerting you to an upcoming sale. Ask about layaway plans or other payment options while you're at it. If you're too shy, take along the pushiest female family member you've got. For once your loudmouthed Aunt Linda can come in handy.
9) Change it Up
Remember in Pretty in Pink when Annie Potts gives Molly Ringwald her old formal? Clever Molly takes the out-of-date 60s dress and uses the material to make a one-of-a-kind dress that suited her own style. If you've got a dress of Mom's in the closet, or a thrift shop gown with pretty fabric but ugly sleeves, do a little snipping.
With the right dress, you don't even need to sew very much. Snip off the giant bow, remove the puff sleeves, or place your own sequins with fabric glue. If you're artistic, you can have a dress that expresses your creative side while spending only pennies.
10) Start From Scratch
Making your own dress doesn't have to result in frumpy Amish-looking clothes. If you sew or know someone who does, you can find patterns for dresses from hugely famous designers and create their dresses for much less than the off-the-rack cost. Even better is the fact that you get to choose your own color and fabric and end up with a dress that is custom fit to flatter your own unique figure.
Spending some time and legwork tracking down a prom dress bargain means spending considerably less cash in the long run. While it may seem like a lot of trouble, more often than not you'll end up in a dress that's more beautiful, more unique and more YOU than if you spent a fortune on a trendy, cookie-cutter gown.