Prom dresses--- I know way ahead of time

[Stitchfans]

DD is showing an interest in going to prom and has a boy who she has plans on going with. We moved to southern Illinois to a very small town (just an hour from the border of Kentucky) my question is where can I find a dress that will not break the pocket book (so far many are hundreds of dollars) and were I will not have to drive hours to go to pick it up? I am hoping to find a dress that is less then a hundred dollars.

I looked online at some of the stores that sell them and the reasonable priced ones are not the style she wants or not in her size. So far I looked into Kohls, David's Bridal, JcPenny, Macy, Carson's ( super high) PromGirl (also very high)

My guess is we will have to drive out to Carbondale which I dread since it is an hour away. (not much into driving) but if we want a decent dress I suppose I have to step out of my "comfort zone" Any suggestions on where to look? Thanks in advance before any responses.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We usually start at Macy's with coupons etc, and that is that...

Other suggestions:

Consignment Stores
GoodWill
Salvation Army - all three above are just fine as the dress is usually only worn once.

I know you said you just moved, but some school have dress swaps and or she could as some of her new friends. Hope she enjoys. I will upload DD's dress from last year. It was from Macy's, way different from all her friends and I paid under $50.00. No harm looking now, Christmas formals are not all "too revealing". Enjoy looking, it is all a part of the whole experience.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

We usually start at Macy's with coupons etc, and that is that...

Other suggestions:

Consignment Stores
GoodWill
Salvation Army - all three above are just fine as the dress is usually only worn once.

I know you said you just moved, but some school have dress swaps and or she could as some of her new friends. Hope she enjoys. I will upload DD's dress from last year. It was from Macy's, way different from all her friends and I paid under $50.00. No harm looking now, Christmas formals are not all "too revealing". Enjoy looking, it is all a part of the whole experience.

I agree consignment shops, Goodwill or Salvation Army are not bad choices. Also, there might be local "thrift stores" in your area. You can save a ton of money this way.

 

[rabx5]

http://www.debshops.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3371585

My daughter got her gown there last spring for less than $200. She wanted froofy (lol) because she was on prom court.The stores are in most malls and you can order online as well. They have a good selection.

We will be getting her dress there this spring as well. This time she wants a cupcake dress.

 

[Stitchfans]

We usually start at Macy's with coupons etc, and that is that...

Other suggestions:

Consignment Stores
GoodWill
Salvation Army - all three above are just fine as the dress is usually only worn once.

I know you said you just moved, but some school have dress swaps and or she could as some of her new friends. Hope she enjoys. I will upload DD's dress from last year. It was from Macy's, way different from all her friends and I paid under $50.00. No harm looking now, Christmas formals are not all "too revealing". Enjoy looking, it is all a part of the whole experience.

Thanks. Great ideas thanks. Never thought about dress swaps. I have a beautiful dress that my oldest DD wore like you said once but we would have to find someone who could alter it for her since her sister is taller then her- plus a little bigger on top.

I will look into your suggestions though. Yes, it is fun looking.

 

[mousebymarriage]

http://www.debshops.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3371585

My daughter got her gown there last spring for less than $200. She wanted froofy (lol) because she was on prom court.The stores are in most malls and you can order online as well. They have a good selection.

We will be getting her dress there this spring as well. This time she wants a cupcake dress.

DD14 got hers at Deb last year too and so did 4 of her friends (all of the dresses were completely different). Great dresses at great prices.

*I was actually at Deb today (Rockaway Townsquare Mall in Rockaway, NJ) and they had a bunch of super cute prom dresses that they just put out but, I know that they will have tons more in a month or so. When we bought DD's last year we got it in early-mid March.

 

[MushyMushy]

I saw some gowns on Overstock.com. I've been keeping an eye out too. My daughter is only a freshman, but she's had a couple of junior boys asking her to think about the prom already.

 

[CathrynRose]

You're not in Downers, anymore?

 

[PatsGirl]

My friends have had luck with both Debs and Delias (online) for well-priced, appropriate dresses. We'll be looking at both for dd's 8th grade formal dress.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

We went to Goodwill this weekend and I saw a ton of formal dresses, most likely bridesmaid dresses, for about $10. They had a bunch that would be suitable for prom after a quick trip to the cleaners.

You could try bridal stores that are selling their samples.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

DD got hers at a small bridal store. It was a sample and they let her buy it pretty cheap. I would suggest checking to see if they have anything.....

 

[Debbie7452]

Since it is early, you might luck into a deal. We went dress shopping in Jan. for a Winter Ball for two DD's. After a couple of disheartening store visits we stubbled onto a well known shop that was moving and everything in the store was half price that day only! We bought the Winter Ball gown for both and a prom dress for DD(senior). The winter ball dresses were $135 & $75 (clearance rack). The prom dress was also $75! I was afraid DD might change her mind and want a different dress before prom came around, but I figured I was only risking $75. We had to get one of them altered because they were all store samples, no choice in sizes. It was still worth it! Here's the prom one.

 

[Stitchfans]

You're not in Downers, anymore?

where have you been? we sold us house in Downers and moved this past August. Much happier. Less expensive, nicer people who don't hesitate to lend a helping hand when needed, so on. Far less stressful.

Thanks again everyone for your advice. We were lucky though. Found a discontinued dress DD really liked at David's Bridal. One of their shops in Missouri had it. With shipping less then $50. Then I found a lovely pair of silver sandals on the Target website for $7. She is all set. Just need to buy some stockings and when the time is closer make an appointment for her hair.

Sure is exciting even for the mom when it comes to times like this.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I used to find the most beautiful gowns at bridal shops. They used to practically give away samples & dresses that were never picked up because brides usually want the whole party to match.

It's worth a try, good luck

 

[Elmo9607]

I've gotten all my prom dresses, homecoming dresses, ect from JC Penney and they have all been less than $100. My mom said she would NOT be paying for a dress that was over $100, so that is what I had to work with, and I always found something I liked! I haven't had to buy one since 2007, but I doubt the prices have changed much. Shop the clearance rack, hit up sales, use those $10 coupons they're always sending out.

I really can't believe how much people will pay for prom dresses...over $500 sometimes!! My sister's wedding dress cost less than that!

 

[golfgal]

Deb, Macy's, Bridal Stores. Most of these stores are not going to carry their clearance stuff online so you will have to go to the store but Macy's especially usually has racks and racks of clearance formals. Part of the fun of prom is going dress shopping and out to lunch with your mom

 

[CathrynRose]

where have you been?

and when the time is closer make an appointment for her hair.

)

I guess in la la land. I had no idea.

And I could have done her hair AND makeup....but you're gone now!!!

 

[KitKat_Tink]

Last year was my prom and I also live in a fairly small town. My mom took me to our nearest large city and we went to the mall there and looked at all the stores there. We went to Nordstroms, Macys, Jcpennys and David's Bridal. All those types of things. I ended up with a Jessica Mclintock dress for $88 normally $400 . it was best described as a modified mermaid being tight for most of the top and then getting big near the knees with pick ups. It was the perfect dress for me. I then got shoes at Macy's on sale from $200 for $20. I ended up doing pretty good for prom. I believe I went shopping around this time of year. Winter stuff is no longer in season so they mark it down.

It also never hurts to call a store and ask when they are having a sale. Or if you like a dress thats on sale, and they don't have it in your daughters size, have them order it in. That is what my mom did.

Also, I would like to just warn you about promgirl. My boyfriends little sister has had the worst luck with them. She ordered a dress that they said was in stock. It wasn't. She paid $150 for it and they won't refund her, so no problem, she takes online credit, picks another dress, well this dress is no longer in stock either. She goes through this whole pattern for about 4 dresses until they finally have the original one back, in a size too big. So she takes it and its now on sale so she has enough money for shoes and orders them. Well shoes aren't there and they no longer carry her size. She can't get her money back and they won't refund her $75. Its been a big headache for that whole family seeing as they ordered the dress in October and they are still dealing with the company

 

[wdwmom0f3]

You are so smart to start looking now. We kind of waited, and it was DD's first prom and I was weak so I ended up spending $450.00 on this dress.

I am hoping to get one for much cheaper this year, hopefully half that!! It was expensive with the hair & makeup, the shoes, having her nails done.... the list went on & on.

Something that I noticed, that I had never thought about before, was that the girls here all did bouquets this past year. I believe that they did that the year before too. I thought that was weird because we always did corsages.

 

[Stitchfans]

Wow. That was quick. DD's dress arrived today and I have to admit it is so pretty! Can't wait until she gets home from school today so she can try it on.

The dresses posted on this thread so pretty too. Thanks for sharing them ladies. I know prom is months away but I am already excited over it so I can bet the girls planning on going are going "wild" with excitement.

That is one big regret that I have since I did not go to my prom way back when....... Sure glad my oldest DD went to hers and that my youngest DD will be going also.