Be a dashing dame for fewer dollars

Haven’t said yes to the dress yet? No worries. Ladies, If you are trying to find ways to ball on a budget for prom you have come to the right place. I have found the perfect prom apparel for plausible prices. 

Prom is the one night every high school girl anticipates from the dress, shoes, hair, to even the date, every girl wants their night to be perfect. Girls can spend anywhere from $250 to $2,500 or more on prom. But who said perfect had to be expensive?

Windsor, located in the Mall at Wellington Green, is an affordable women’s fashion store that has every prom essential you could possibly want and more depending on your taste and desired style.

If you were going for a look that was glittery and glowing, the Ariel Formal Sequin Dress ($109.90) is the perfect match. The iridescent sequins with the pop of blue that this dress embodies would definitely light up the entire room. And, for such a reasonable price, the amount of detail and glam that goes into this dress, I would definitely say that is a steal! Since the dress is definitely the star of the show, the Take A Spin Chic Basic Block Heels ($26.90) would complement the dress perfectly. Although these light blue faux leather high heels are currently sold out, shoppers can join a waitlist. To enhance the look, Windsor has jewelry and accessories that are perfect for formal occasions. The Rhinestone Statement Necklace Set ($11.00) and the Memory Wire Rhinestone Cross Cuff ($10.90) definitely add a little dazzle to the dress. To finish off the look, the Stand Out Staple Metallic Shoulder Bag ($24.00) is the perfect cherry on top to make your outfit stand out. In total for this whole jaw dropping prom look, you would be spending around $182.70, a reasonable price for a complete look that will wow the crowd. Some other bold options, all at $109.90, include the Rowena Sequin Mermaid Dress, the Taisia Formal Sequin Scroll Dress, and the Jovie Formal Sequin Slit Mermaid Long Dress, also make beautiful and bright options.

If these prices are beyond your budget, then you could go for a more basic, but still elegant, look, and Windsor’s got you covered. The Savannah Formal Crepe Long Dress ($49.50) is a black, long dress that definitely showcases simplicity and chicness and can be paired with the Glam Amour Faux Pearl Bow Stiletto Pumps ($38.90) along with the So Chic Rhinestone Leaf Duster Earrings ($11.90) which adds a hint of glam to this simple look. In total, this entire look comes out to just pennies over $100. Windsor has looks that come in all varieties regardless of your preference or your pocketbook. You can definitely achieve your desired Great Gatsby look here for an affordable price. Some other elegant dresses you may want to consider are the Sasha Formal High Slit Wrap Dress ($39.90), the Ella Cowl Neck Satin Dress ($54.90), the Larsa Formal Velvet and Lace Mermaid Dress ($54.90), along with many more options!

Besides Windsor, if you aren’t looking to go in person to try and find a dress there are many online affordable options as well. Shein is also an affordable website to shop for prom necessities. Although they typically take a while to ship and the quality might be questionable,  their prices are unmatched when it comes to affordability and style with dresses costing between $20 to $50 and shoes running around $14 to $45.

Looking for even bigger savings? Then try thrifting at places like America Thrift, World of Thrift, Salvation Army, and Goodwill. In their stores you can find dresses for the cheap cheap. 

If you don’t mind a little car ride, you can visit The Church Mouse on Palm Beach island at 374 S. County Rd. This thrift store benefits The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and is a great place to find gently worn gowns, shoes, purses, and tuxedos.

Consignment stores are also a great, inexpensive option for those watching their tight budget. Although they tend to be more expensive than thrift stores, they have more expensive labels. Stores such as City Girl Consignment on Dixie Highway and Dina C’s Fab and Funky Consignment Boutique which is also located on Dixie Highway, have high-end designer names for a lot less than retail. 

If your budget is next to nothing, we’ve got you covered. You can make an appointment with the non-profit organization called Becca’s Closet. This South Florida group offers free, new prom dresses to those students that meet the criteria. 

For a free make-up application, stop by Sephora’s in the Mall of Wellington Green. Go in, ask for a makeover, and 15- to 20-minutes later, with no purchase necessary, you can have a free face of make-up. 

For shoes and handbags, you can go shopping in your mother’s or friend’s closet. You might find vintage or something with a little alteration would be good as new.

Whether you’re ready to break the bank or count your pennies, you’ll slay The Great Gatsby night away and look beautiful doing it.

Be quite the gent for little cents

As seniors approach their last formal dance of high school, not everyone can afford to go all out and buy or rent a costly tux and shoes. Don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered with some affordable suggestions on how to attend prom without breaking the bank.

First things first, you shouldn’t feel as if you need to go out and purchase a fresh new frock. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, you may want to think about borrowing from a friend or member of your family, or checking out local thrift or resale shops. You won’t believe the treasures you can unearth in these shops, so come prepared to do a little digging.

According to Yes Weddings, “Renting a tuxedo can be anywhere between $90 and $250. Most rentals will allow you to find a set that includes pants, a coat, shirt, vest, shoes, neckwear, and cufflink sets.” In comparison, buying a tuxedo can run you between $500 to $1500 and that is just the suit not the shoes, neckwear and cufflinks.

If you do end up deciding to buy a tux, you should look for discounts while shopping online. Websites such as Amazon and Boohoo provide customers a diverse selection of goods at reasonable prices. In most instances, you have to buy the jacket, shirt, waistcoat, shoes, and pants separately. 

A straightforward suit or tuxedo may be purchased for less than $100 at retailers such as Men’s Wearhouse or H&M. H&M has a variety of suit separates and accessories for guys to choose from, starting at $12.99 for a tie to $99.00 for a linen jacket. 

In order to finish off the outfit for the prom, accessories are a necessity. Stores like Claire’s or Temu have a variety of jewelry options for men. Both sell gender neutral items that are fit for your fit.

Shoes are another essential, but purchasing them does not have to put a financial strain on you. You can get reasonably-priced choices at retailers like DSW and Amazon. 

Keep in mind that prom is about having a good time and creating memories with your close pals. Spending a lot of money is not necessary in order to have a memorable time. You don’t need to spend a fortune to pull off a chic appearance for prom.