Prom is a rite of passage for young ladies and gents, but it also can be a nightmare for your wallet. Formal dresses can range anywhere from $30 to $1,000, and it’s really easy (and tempting) to choose a dress that costs more than you can afford.
I’ve been to a fair share of high school formals and also shopped with my younger sister for both her junior and senior prom, so there are a few tricks up my sleeve that’ll help you save some cash when buying a formal gown.
Make a Budget
Making and sticking to a budget is vital to saving money on a prom dress. First, you should make an overall prom budget. Are you renting a limo? Are you going out to a fancy dinner? Do you need new shoes and accessories? After you’ve tallied up all the extras, you can clearly see how much remains to spend on the dress.
Now, when I say stick to the budget, I mean it. Trying on dresses can be very overwhelming. You walk into a shop surrounded by choices and commission-hungry sales associates, and it’s easy to get suckered into trying on something you can’t afford. That’s the worst mistake you can make. Once you try on a dress you love, the price tag will be easy to ignore. That is, until you leave the store having gone over-budget on a dress you’ll only wear once. Tell the sales associate that you’ll only try dresses within your budget. And, don’t forget to account for tax and alterations.
Hit the Clearance Section
Clearance racks get a bad rep when it comes to formalwear, but there are some absolutely beautiful options hiding in the poof and sparkles — in fact, most of my dresses were found on the clearance rack. But still be mindful of price tags. Don’t make the assumption that everything on the clearance rack is in your price range. Believe me — it’s not.
You also should check for damage to the dress. If you can’t get past the tear or missing beading, move on and continue shopping. If it’s something you can fix or hide, ask a sales associate if you can get a deeper discount for the damage. Sales associates are usually very accommodating when it comes to making a sale. Just be wary of such requests — they often come with a no return policy. If you’re okay with that, then a deeper discount can be yours.
Consider Used Dresses
The majority of formalwear is worn only once. So what do you do with a dress after prom? You sell it, donate it or pass it down to a family member. Don’t be scared to hit consignment shops for discounts of up to 85 percent on lightly-worn dresses. No one will know it’s used but you, and it looks just as good the second time around. You also can sell it back when you’re finished with it. That will help your budget even more.
Buy Online
Most formal dresses require some sort of customization. Whether you buy in-store or online, you’ll probably have to spend some of your budget on alterations. So, if you’re spending money on alterations either way, you may as well check for deals online before you buy. You can even shop your favorite designers and styles all at once, compare prices and choose the best option.
If you are buying online, beware of size charts and shipping. Typically, you should go up one dress size for formals because many of them run small. The safest option for buying online is to take your measurements and use a size guide if the website has one. You also should be careful with shipping dates. If you’re shopping last minute, online is probably not your best bet.
Rent
If you’re dealing with a sense of style that is more “classy-couture” than “cheap-chic,” there are many options for renting a designer gown. However, remember that a high price tag comes with responsibility. Websites like RenttheRunway.com and StyleLend.com allow you to rent a designer gown for a fraction of the retail price. The cost to rent a formal dress on these websites ranges from about $30 to $700. If I could go back to my awkward teen years, I think I’d try renting.
You also can find local rental shops in your city. This option is the best of both worlds because you can still spend much less by renting and you get to try the product on before you pay to rent it.
It doesn’t matter how little you spend on a dress. What matters is how you feel in it and the memories that you make. I wish you a very happy prom night!
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5 Ways to Spend Less on a Prom Dress originally appeared on usnews.com
