| It is prom season - and you need to find a dress as | | | | are endless and by putting a little bit of work into it - |
| soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to the economy - | | | | you'll definitely have the most unique dress at the |
| your parents have given you a budget that is less than | | | | dance! |
| what you initially hoped and planned for. Now you face | | | | 2. Try vintage stores: Vintage and retro looks are |
| a dilemma similar to thousands of other teens across | | | | always popular options for proms and formal events. |
| the country, how can you find the most affordable | | | | Visit your area vintage stores and consignment shops |
| prom gown - without looking cheap and tacky? | | | | in search of your perfect formal gown. These stores |
| For starters, it is important for you to know that you | | | | are known for having hot designer dresses for super |
| are not alone in this particular situation. As I said, | | | | cheap. If you find a dress that you love that turns out |
| thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of parents are | | | | to be a size two big, or slightly damaged - negotiate an |
| facing economic troubles. So do not be ashamed, and | | | | even larger discount and take it to the seamstress for |
| remember that the most important part of the event is | | | | alterations and repairs. Play up the old Hollywood glam |
| for you to have fun! Now that we have gotten that | | | | theme with perfectly coiffed curls, dramatic make-up |
| pep talk out of the way - let me give you a few tips | | | | and rhinestone accessories. |
| on finding affordable gowns for your junior or senior | | | | 3. Shop Online: The Internet is one of the best sources |
| prom! | | | | to turn to when you need to find a cheap prom dress. |
| 1. Think outside the box: Creativity and a little ingenuity | | | | Virtually every online merchant selling formal gowns |
| can go a long way when you are under financial | | | | has a section for "affordable" or "cheap" options. You |
| restrictions. Ask your older sister, cousin, or even | | | | can save yourself some time by narrowing your |
| neighbor if they have any formal gowns sitting around | | | | search terms with certain keywords. For example, if |
| that they can give to you. If you do not feel | | | | your budget is two hundred dollars, do a search for |
| comfortable with just taking something for nothing in | | | | "prom dresses under $200". Doing this will show you all |
| exchange - work out a bartering deal. Perhaps you will | | | | the results for websites that have dresses within your |
| babysit for a month as repayment, or clean out their | | | | budget. Remember this - when buying discounted |
| basement or garage. Once you have the gown, be | | | | clothing online, they usually come with a no return and |
| innovative with it - you can shorten in or add | | | | no exchange policy. This means that all sales are final. |
| embellishments. If it has sleeves or straps, take it to a | | | | If the dress is ill-fitting, or the wrong color - you'll just be |
| seamstress and have them turn it into a sleeveless or | | | | out of luck. |
| strapless gown! With the right dress, the possibilities | | | | |