Where can I find an inexpensive formal dress?

[designer1234]

Stores like Forever21 never seem to have anything formal enough and stores like discount-karenmillen.com are so common (around me at least) that someone will probably get the same dress. I'm looking for something around the $120 range. It doesn't have to be as formal as something for prom, but a notch or two below that. Thanks!

[ShadowDancing]

If there are any Burlington Coat Factories near you, they sometimes have nice formal dresses, and they aren't too expensive.

[ReluctantPegasister]

You know, many secondhand stores have gorgeous dresses (that simply needed to be tailored or dry cleaned) for $15-$30. I've gotten many a formal dress from a Goodwill or an equivalent thrift store.

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

Even expensive stores have sales. Just pay attention to prices. I got my junior prom dress for $17 at Macy's.

[Illuminate]

Search online for your favourite shops to see whether they have any sales on or dresses in your price range. You'd be surprised at what you find.
Also look at local Malls and retail parks to see what shops there are there for you to look at online.
You just missed the mid-season sales which sucks but if you look hard enough you might find an offer or two!
Good Luck!

[Raining Glitter]

Yeah forever 21 has a tendency to have more casual dresses

Try stores like Charlotte Russe, Express, an H&M. Discovery and Wetseal might have something cute, depending on the season.

I got my homecoming dress at Charlotte Russe for $45 and I love it! I got so many compliments from it. What I liked about the dress was that it was a right type of formal. It didn't really have the usual homecoming/prom fabric feel to it, but still something that you would wear to a wedding. I'd definitely try checking out Charlotte Russe!

Maybe try looking at stores like JC Pennies, Sears, Kohls, and maybe even Macy's. Macy's has a tendency to be overpriced (my opinion) but they usually have a wider selection of dresses.

If there are any outlet malls by you, go to them! They help so much and they normally have dresses that the regular store versions wouldn't have-meaning there would be less of a chance to wear the same dress as someone else (which is something you can normally deal with if it happens, but still slightly awkward.)

[Illuminate]

I don't live in the US so I'm not sure what shops are over there but a shop that I love to buy my dresses from, is Monsoon. They have some absolutely gorgeous dresses in there for all different occasions.

Others are:
Bank
Jane Norman (and they still have sales on)
Lipsy
Next
Oasis (!!!!!!)
Phase Eight
Quiz
Reiss (they have a 50% sale on but are usually really expensive)
Republic
River Island (I seem to think this is called something else in the US?)
TopShop
USC
Warehouse

I hope this helps a bit more than my previous post <3

[BECCALICIOUS!]

renttherunway.com

My sisters and I have to get dresses for fraternity formals all the time, this lets you rent a dress for about $50 each, on average.

[Maloo]

If you live in NY, from me!

[wonderbread]

There are stores like Marshalls or TJ Maxx or Ross, they are retail stores that have dresses and other clothing that are overstock or slightly damaged for major stores like Macy's, Target, and so forth for like much less the cost.

You could also try Amazon.com

[BECCALICIOUS!]

I FORGOT MARSHALL'S! Love it for clothing. They also tend to have REALLY good shoes.

[Fairy Poppins]

If you know your size and have enough time to allow for delivery, I would suggest eBay.

They have some amazing dresses on there that come straight from the factories in the Far East, so you don't have to pay for the shop floor space.

Also, many of them are available to bid on (rather than a Buy It Now price) so you can end up getting a real bargain.

[Revolution]

GOODWILL. I got my winter formal dress there for $12, absolutely amazing. I don't pay more than $30 for a dress, psh. That's good coffee money.