How to Stay Within Your Prom Dress Budget
Add the cost of the dress, the shoes, the flowers, and the prom transportation and it could be a huge cost for teens. There are ways to help teens stay within their budgets and not sacrifice the style.
Consignment and thrift shops are great places to find prom dresses for less cost than retail. After prom season, go through their clearance racks for even better bargains!
Buy Stock
For many young women, finding a dress for prom is on their list of priorities. They want to feel like a princess in a dress that is beautiful. There are plenty of options to assist you in finding an outfit that is within your budget.
To avoid overspending, start planning your budget at least 6 months before prom. prom dresses long will help you know how much money is available for your dress, as well as other expenses like a mani-pedi or limousine. You can then plan accordingly.
Write down everything you want to buy for prom, and then put them in order of priority them. This will help keep you focused and stop you from purchasing a dress that may not be a good fit for your style or shape.
It's recommended to look around at various stores before making a purchase. You might be surprised to discover by a store that offers a dress that's similar to the one you are contemplating at a lower cost. Don't forget the clearance sections in bridal shops and other stores.
Another option to save money on the prom dress is to sew your own alterations. This will cost you a lot less than hiring someone else to perform the work however, only if you are skilled at sewing. You can ask your family member or a friend to assist you in case you're not confident in your sewing abilities. You could set up a dress exchange with friends. They may have a dress they wore at prom that they no longer like or are planning to wear it again next year and is seeking a new outfit.
Do You Make Changes
If your dress requires any modifications, this should be considered in your budget. Prom dress alterations can be costly. Choose a tailor or seamstress who is familiar with the style of dress you're wearing. Ask about their pricing and if they offer any sales or discounts for prom season. Find the lowest price. You might find the same dress at several locations with different prices.
Many girls travel great distances to find the perfect dress for prom. According to Brown her customers, they come from all across Massachusetts including Fall River, New Bedford, and even Boston. Long trips can add up not just in gas money but also in time and stress.
When selecting a seamstress or tailor for prom dress alterations, it is important to plan your appointment in advance. It can take a long time to alter the dress and in most instances, a seamstress or tailor will need more than one garment that is suitable for the dress to ensure it is perfect.
It is also recommended to bring a friend to the fittings for your prom dress. A second pair of eyes looking at your gown will help you decide whether or not it is pleasing and if the changes are worth the price.
If you're still in the love with your dress but are hesitant to spend so much money on it, think about adding embellishments to make the look more luxurious. For example the addition of a pair of fashionable earrings and a chic bag can elevate a basic dress to an elegant look without breaking the bank. Be mindful of your budget when purchasing accessories and steer clear of overdoing it with accessories.
Rent the Runway
Renting an outfit is a great option when you don't wish to spend a lot on a dress that may only wear once. Many department stores and retailers for juniors will offer formal wear sales throughout the year, or you can check online coupon codes for discounts. Rent the Runway is an online rental service that allows you to try on and keep four dresses at one time for a monthly fee. They also provide a variety of accessories including shoes, jewelry and other accessories for an additional cost. They offer similar options to Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales but for a lower price.
You can exchange any dress that you don't want and then order a new set. It's a better alternative to buying the same dress you only wear only once. You can also see what fits your body.
However, Rent the Runway has recently been criticized for not fulfilling its promises of a fantastic shopping experience. Many women have shared their own Rent the Runway horror stories online, including Megan Brock's story, in which she was billed astronomical late fees and told her dresses would not be delivered on time.
There are plenty of good reasons to try the site, particularly for special occasions like prom. It's like the closet of Cher from Clueless but without the attitude of snobbery. It's also a great choice for wedding dresses as well as date night outfits and outfits for brunch on weekends.
Buy Secondhand
The prom is a rite-of-passage for a lot of girls and is a significant moment in their teens. It can be a costly affair and the dresses can cost thousands of dollars. That can be a big financial burden, particularly for families that have a tight budget.
Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on the cost of prom, and still have the dress you desire. The best method to reduce the cost of prom is to buy used dresses. This can be done in thrift stores or online, where you can discover a variety of styles and colours from proms past at a fraction of price.
You may also find a dress at an auction shop or a charity shop. This is a great spot to search for formal wear or prom dresses since they are typically only worn for a single time. A lot of these dresses will be in good condition and will be less expensive than the cost for a brand new dress.
It is also worth checking out resale websites like eBay or thredUP. These sites specialize in pre-loved clothes and have a large variety of dresses, a lot of which are brand new but never worn.
If you know a friend who attended the prom last year Ask her if she is willing to sell her dress. If she doesn't want to, think about making a donation to an organization that offers formal or prom dresses to teenagers who have no any cost. This could be an incredibly touching gesture as it ensures that the dress will be given to someone who will appreciate it and wear it. In addition, it could also help to offset the high costs of prom for those who require it most.
Make Your Own
Many girls make their own dresses for prom to show off their creativity and save money on expensive purchases. You can find patterns for formal dresses online or at fabric stores. The majority of patterns include sewing instructions that even a beginning seamstress can follow. The best part about making your own dress is that you can pick a style and color that you like, and you can personalize the look with your own accessories.
Budget your dress and accessories prior to when you head to the mall. Stick to it and shop early. This will spare you the agony of falling in the love with a dress that's not within your budget and ensures that you don't be left out of the perfect dress because another girl has already snagged it.
You may also shop outside of your local prom boutique. After prom, department stores and juniors clothing chains usually have sales on the remaining formal dresses. They may be trying to clear out space in their storage rooms for the new styles that will soon arrive or they could be in a rush to get rid of the stock that's sitting on their shelves.
If you're willing to go out of your comfort zone and search other categories for dresses, you could be amazed by what you discover. Bridesmaid dresses are often perfect for prom and can be purchased at a fraction the cost. You can also broaden your search by including keywords like "evening wear" or "fancy dress," both of which could lead to dresses that aren't as traditional, but still stunning.