blue prom dresses
1. Start early. This is the most important tip. The earlier you start, the more likely you are to find an affordable prom dress. (One mom started a year before Prom. In that year, she found 8 dresses – at an average cost of $26 per dress!)
2. Watch for sales after Prom season. If you start a year ahead, you can shop the after-Prom sales to find a prom dress for next year.
3. Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a dress. Often someone in your circle of friends, your family, your church group, or your school will have a dress they’re willing to sell or trade. Putting the word out on Facebook can be an especially effective strategy.
4. Check eBay. eBay has thousands of used prom dresses for sale.
5. Check the local newspaper. Watch both printed and online listings. I see lots of used prom dresses for sale in my local newspaper listings.
6. Check Craigslist for your area.
7. Watch yard sales. Prom dresses do pop up at yard sales, and when they do, they are usually very inexpensive. If you go to enough yard sales, you may be able to find an affordable prom dress – especially if you are able to sew a little bit, and are willing to be creative.
8. Watch thrift stores. If you start early enough and go often enough, you can find affordable prom dresses at thrift stores. Again, it helps if you’re handy with a needle and willing to get a little creative.
9. Check out vintage clothing stores. You can often find elegant old gowns for very affordable prices. These dresses often have very unique styling.
10. Sew a dress. If you sew, or know someone who does, sewing a dress might be worthwhile. Sewing can be an especially good option when you want a unique prom dress, different than everyone else’s.