How to Find a Cheap Prom Dress

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Once a teenage girl has achieved the first major hurdle of finding a date, the next crucial decision is what to wear. Prom dresses can be alarmingly expensive, but they don't have to be. For those on a budget, it's fairly easy to find a cheap yet fashionable prom dress, if you know where to look.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Keep an open mind. Look through magazines to find a few styles you like, so you're not in the mindset of having to find that one perfect dress.
Step 2

Ask older friends, cousins, neighbors if they have any good hand-me-down dresses. People rarely wear their prom dress more than once, so closets are full of potential right fits. You can ask to borrow it if it already fits or purchase it, so you can alter it.
Step 3

Try searching your local thrift stores. Goodwill, the Salvation Army and other thrifts stores may not have the greatest selection and likely won't have what you want in your size. But with a little alteration and glamming up, you just might piece together a great dress.
Step 4

Search your newspaper's classified ads or go online to search eBay or Craigslist as the prom season nears. Find scores of once-worn prom dresses for sale by owner. Typically, a dress you buy from an individual seller is significantly cheaper than if you buy from a consignment store.
Step 5

Check your local consignment stores. Although they tend to be more expensive than purchasing from an individual or a thrift store, you can find a greater variety of styles, sizes and colors. Consignment stores typically select higher quality, gently-used clothing.
Step 6

Find a friend or relative who's an experienced seamstress to agree to make your dress. Then, pick your own pattern and fabric for the dress of your dreams.
Step 7

Shop online. A number of websites carry heavily discounted new prom dresses, even during peak prom season.

Comments

janise said

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on 3/7/2009 If you want to buy a beautiful and inexpensive prom or wedding dress, go to www.mydresses.webs.com. I bought my wedding dress over there and I saved like $800 at least. I was so happy.