FashBlog.com

If you're a female, there's a good chance that at some point in your life you have had to wear a formal dress, and had to pay a hefty price for that bit of glitter and gauze. Is there a cheaper alternative? You could say, "Just don't buy a fancy dress," but nobody wants to show up at the prom or the company holiday party in jeans and a t-shirt. Don't worry. There are other options available for those with a more frugal mindset.

Hit the Clearance Racks
When I was in high school, while other girls looked through prom magazines and longed for expensive designer dresses, I made it a personal mission to see how cheaply I could get my dress. And I accomplished this purely through clearance racks. Look for dresses for the next formal occasion after homecoming and prom seasons and after the holidays.

Keep Your Shopping Options Open
Don't think that you have to visit a bridal shop or high-end mall department store to purchase a suitable dress for your special occasion. I have purchased formal dresses at the discount clothing retailer Dots, a store known for having $10 and $15 clothing. Also consider outlets and discount stores like T.J. Maxx or Burlington Coat Factory. Don't be afraid to buy secondhand. Formal dresses can show up in thrift shops any time of the year, and you just might find a dress or two at your local yard sales. If you're looking for more designer wear, a consignment shop will be the best place to look, although more and more people are turning to online auction sites to buy and sell such dresses.

Make Your Own
If you or someone in your family is a seamstress, you can make your own formalwear instead of paying others to make it for you. However, the fine fabrics used for formalwear can be expensive, so if you're not confident in your sewing abilities, this probably isn't the time to experiment at the risk of ruining thirty dollars worth of fabric when you could have found a clearance dress for that same amount.

Dress Up Something You Already Own
Another option that can cut your costs is to purchase something that will make an outfit you wear every day suitable for formalwear. Sometimes accessories can make all the difference, and a wrap or jacket can add the right flair to your career-wear. I recently attended a dinner function that called for semi-formal attire. I purchased a velour shirt and wore it with a standard black skirt that I wear all the time and added my dressiest heels. My total cost for the evening was $9.99.

Reuse
Once you've purchased a dress, look for chances to wear it again. Do you have a friend that's the same size as you? Trade dresses for a special event if you're concerned about being seen in the same outfit twice. You'll also be more likely to wear your dress a second time if you keep future uses in mind when you're shopping. For instance, if you say no to sequins and glitter, can you wear the dress to your cousin's wedding?