Prom dress on a budget, can you do it?

[ksumn1]

Atlanta has Filene's Basement. I haven't looked at prom dresses at Filene's, but I have gotten great deals there on clothes, including work clothes and dressy clothes for formal occasions for me.

If there's a JCPenney outlet store nearby, check out dresses there. I've seen some beautiful dressy dresses for great prices. Penny's outlets near you are in Forest Park, GA, and Decatur, AL.
Don't just write off a store because it's an expensive store. I bought a dress on sale at one of the more expensive stores on sale for less than the sale prices at other stores.

And ask around to other people. This coming April, one of my clients will be wearing my DD's prom dress from last year to the 2010 prom. I really doubt anyone will recognize that the dress has been worn there before, as there were over 500 dresses at last year's prom. I know DD is not going to ever wear the dress again, and it kills me to spend that much on a one-time-only outfit even though I found it on sale. If your DD is really worried about someone realizing it's a borrowed/passed over to her dress, maybe the dress could be borrowed from someone who went to a different school's prom.

I was at the Forest Park JC Penney outlet before Christmas and they no longer have the bridal outlet in the store. It's where we used to get all out bridesmaid, wedding and prom dresses.

There is one place in Carrollton, GA (The Social Butterfly), one in Bowdon, GA (Marvena's) and one on Fairburn Road, in DOuglasville, GA. On I 20, Carrollton would be the closest to you, about 2 hours from Birmingham. Bowdon is about 20 minutes form Carrollton heading toward Ranburne and Fairburn Road is up I 20 past Carrollton about 20 minutes or so. and then in atlanta , there are many thrift stores, retail outlets, David's Bridal etc.

But first I would check your local Goodwill, craigslist, Macy's, Dillard's, JC Penney's etc. I know AL can be a big pageant state, so contact one of the local pageant coordinators and ask for a list of stores. most pageantwear places sell prom appropriate dresses as well. They may also be able to hook you up with a couple of dress swaps. Worth a try.

 

[dyna]

DD found prom dress for less than 20.00 at JC Pennys that had been over 400.00...

As around a bigger town than I live in a few miles from me has a sale 1 Sat I think in FEB the girls buy an sell their old prom gowns shoes an etc.....might be worth checking to see if something simular near you.

 

[StephMK]

Definitely look around now! We have been getting DD's homecoming dresses right around the holidays for the following fall. There are some gorgeous dresses at that time that would be perfect for prom. There are lots of post holiday markdowns & we've never paid more than $40 for a dress, plus she never has anyone else wearing the same thing since it was purchased so far in advance.

 

[dalton165]

here's the link to JC penny's and a coupon code for you.

Prom and Party dresses starting at $19.99 at JCPenney.com .
Use code decsurv9 for another 15% off.
Or use code ICEBERG2 for free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/SearchD...epartment.aspx

 

[wdwmom0f3]

What size does she need?

She is going to need a 7/8 I think. We have not tried any on yet, but I think that size would fit her.

Also, at this time of year it's not a bad idea to check the local dress shops. I found a $300 dress for $50 one year. They don't have as much room and have to move them before the new stuff comes in. Also don't be afraid to check the bridesmaid dresses out they are generally cheaper and look like prom dresses. The dress that my maid of honor wore she loaned to her niece to wear to a formal. The funny thing was, someone else had the same dress in a different color. Good luck!

that is funny, but Lauren would freak. lol

Definitely look around now! We have been getting DD's homecoming dresses right around the holidays for the following fall. There are some gorgeous dresses at that time that would be perfect for prom. There are lots of post holiday markdowns & we've never paid more than $40 for a dress, plus she never has anyone else wearing the same thing since it was purchased so far in advance.

This is so true and I have not thought about that.

here's the link to JC penny's and a coupon code for you.

Prom and Party dresses starting at $19.99 at JCPenney.com .
Use code decsurv9 for another 15% off.
Or use code ICEBERG2 for free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/SearchD...epartment.aspx

Thank you so much. I will go look there now.

 

[nsmith]

I second Macy's, lots and lots of choices at great prices. Don't forget how much all the other stuff cost, hair, shoes, nails, purse, after parties, pictures. If you don't plan, these things can ruin your budget. Help you DD pick out nail color and practice doing her own mani/pedi. Try out hair styles and buy bobby pins and good hairspray, if you can't do the style yourself we have found Hair Cuttery to do reasonable updo's but the best stylist book up fast. Ask around to borrow evening purses and fancy shoes, these are things people don't use often and are willing to loan out. If she wants to have a sun kissed glow (here on the East Coast we can be very pale before summer) have her try out self tanners well before the big date.

If you host the after party you can begin to buy party food and soda when it is on sale to save.

Hope she has a great time. remember the getting ready and planning for the prom is sometimes more fun than the date itself so make the most out of it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Clearance sales--shop early and shop often.

My prom dress was a recycled dress that I bought at a Dillards in New Orleans that was having a moving sale as they were moving to a brand new location within the same mall. Their move--saved me 75% on my dress. And b/c my senior high school had never seen me in it, I was able to wear it again. I didn't balk when my parents suggested/required that action.


Just keep a look out--avoid boutiques and bridal shops with prom dresses as they will be very unlikely to have any on sale.

You may also hit some consignment shops to see if you can find any recycled dresses there.

Then there is always the popular duct tape dress.

 

[edk35]

PROM Oh boy do I feel your pain. Our dd graduated last year.....and PROM was sooooooooo expensive. She didn't go to the Jr. prom so we really did it up for the Sr. one. After it was all said and done....dress/fittings/special bra, accessories, purse/shoes, hair/updo,manicure/pedicure, chipping in for limo with the group....it was almost 800 for a few hours of fun. Now that also included prom ticket price. Here it was very expensive and she didn't want the boy to have to pay 65 x 2 so that was also part of our cost. She had a good time but they treat proms around here like they are weddings. It is HUGE.....especially for the girls. OMG

Looking back......the entire Sr. year was expensive. However....college is worse especially if they get involved in a sorority. It is never ending really as far as money goes once they get into high school.