Find an Elegant, Formal Prom Dress (for Cheap)

You Don't Have to Pay Through the Nose to Dress-up for a One-Gala Night

Just saw another teen on line wondering how to get up hundreds of dollars for a prom dress. Jeez. I dress formally quite nicely and NEVER spend that much. From my years of being a Hollywood actress (minor but still there), I have picked up some tips on dressing formally ON A BUDGET.

Think VINTAGE - even big stars are wearing famous fashion names from years ago. The quality is much better and it retains its value so you can RESELL it. Why should you wear polyester chiffon, when you can wear silk? And the small sizes of yesteryear are great for teens - I wore a vintage flowered silk chiffon to a Screen Actor's Guild gala and looked fabulous.

Ditto RESALE SHOPS. Socialites, etc wear dresses once and then recycle them. You can get great stuff quite inexpensively. Besides shopping there will give you an idea of what quality is - which you will never get from your local department store nowadays. (And again, smaller sizes are the best deals - but you can even find resale for Plus sizes.....) Better quality wears well - so even if it's been cleaned, etc. - it won't have fallen apart.... (I have a GORGEOUS golden evening jacket of kimono brocade sitting in the closet waiting for a place to wear - gotten in a resale shop in Santa Barbara.)

SHOP THRIFT SHOPSin upscale neighborhoods. My best buy was a never worn Bill Blass designer brown velvet dress with a chiffon top and copper sequins - with the Saks 5th Ave. price tag still on it for $15!!! (the tag read $250 & that was a few years ago...) I get all my designer things from thrift shops!

GO TO YOUR LOCAL FASHION DISTRICT AND BUY WHOLESALE. There is a tremendous markup in clothing. A fashion stylist friend took a prom goer to the L.A. Fashion District and got a whole prom outfit, including wrap, shoes and bag for less than $100!!! (the same stuff you would get at Macy's, say for many times as much). This has the advantage of the latest styles and hot brands. Samples come in small sizes and are a great deal, too.