Where to Find Prom Dress?

TinkOhio

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 6, 2003
Where have you or your daughter(s) had luck with finding nicely priced prom dresses? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
Local consignment stores are usually FULL Of dresses this time of year. I have also been seeing many on the local FB yardsale groups. Most of the time they list when/where it was worn so that you can avoid wearing it in the same school district if you are concerned. Sometimes the sellers also have shoes and/or bags to match!

Just understand when you buy used (and probably cannot return) what CAN and CANNOT be done as far as alterations are concerned. Beading and boning makes it difficult and expensive (but not impossible) to take in the bodice. Some fabrics lend themselves to hemming the bottom better than others. The easiest alterations are things like taking up spaghetti straps or sewing in a bra.

Good luck!...............P
 
Local consignment stores are usually FULL Of dresses this time of year. I have also been seeing many on the local FB yardsale groups. Most of the time they list when/where it was worn so that you can avoid wearing it in the same school district if you are concerned. Sometimes the sellers also have shoes and/or bags to match!

Just understand when you buy used (and probably cannot return) what CAN and CANNOT be done as far as alterations are concerned. Beading and boning makes it difficult and expensive (but not impossible) to take in the bodice. Some fabrics lend themselves to hemming the bottom better than others. The easiest alterations are things like taking up spaghetti straps or sewing in a bra.

Good luck!...............P
Actually, you can't return new prom dresses, either. Dd19's last one was one she found online. She went to a store that carried that designer, but they didn't have it in stock. She tried in a similar one to get the sizing, and hers did end up fitting, but if it didn't, it was still ours.

A less expensive option is Nordstrom. They have a lot of dresses online, free shipping to and from (very fast), and you can return. I shop here for dresses for dd14 (15 in a few weeks), because she is very petite, and everything has to be altered. I can bring dresses to the tailor, and they tell me if it can be done or not.

She better get moving though - brick and mortar stores are going to have a small amount left, which will have been tried on a million times already. Ds17' girlfriend has had her dress for a couple of months, already posted to the prom dress Instagram group (so there are no duplicates).

ETA, beware of buying online. Legit sites will be more expensive, but no returns, and the ones with much less expensive dresses are more likely scammers, putting the picture of a legit dress on their website, but sending a poorly made copy.
 
The other posters gave great advice, especially about alterations...and the fact that dresses have been really picked over by now. My DD bought hers the beginning of January, and we were behind schedule.
Our community has a used prom dress event, with some proceeds going to charity. May want to see if such a thing exists in your area. It's cash and carry though. Be 100% sure about fit and ability to alter if necessary.
Good luck! The price of prom dresses was certainly a shock when we went to look for the first time....
 


JCpenney. You can even ship to the store for free. Pick it up, try it on and then return it, as long as you keep the tag on it. I believe Dillards and Macys also allow returns. The thing that costs A LOT is hemming--$40-60.
 
I have ordered a couple dresses from Light in the Box. Custom made, ship from China, arrive in a couple weeks. Huge variety of colors and styles and so far all (three bridesmaids, one wedding dress, and two prom dresses) have been perfect for $70-$200. Great if you are looking for a specific style or color, or if you need a cute dress in an unusual size. My friend's daughter has special needs, and they ordered a beautiful floor length gown that looks young but still covers all the places she wanted in 26W!
 
David's bridal, local bridal shops often have great buys. The last time we bought a prom dress, all the moms were looking at the sale dresses while the daughters were all looking at the expensive ones.
 


We have formal events regularly. To cut down on closet space, I really like Rent The Runway. They have great customer service and beautiful gowns you can rent for a lot less.
 
Macy's has great sales. I would look online at Penney's, Macy's, etc. and look for the deals!
 

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