Getting Creative for Prom: How to be a Thrifty Shopper
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April 8, 2010
Filed under Campus Life, Top Stories
Prom is a time to commemorate the busy year that many have had and to have a perfect night with the perfect dress, tux and ride. Before the big night comes, however, many preparations have to be made to make sure everything goes as planned. Shopping for prom used to be a huge deal to many students but for those that don’t exactly have money burning a whole in their wallet, they may find it difficult to get all the prom necessities. There are tons of ways to have an amazing prom and still have a positive balance in your bank account.
First off, the big worry for the girls is to find the perfect dress. Big department stores will purposely raise their prices around prom season to anywhere from $100 to $500, these being out of many of our price ranges. Searching for your dress at other places, however, may do the trick. Try shopping at smaller shops that you wouldn’t expect to find a prom dress and if that doesn’t work there are always thrift shops and second hand boutiques. Though many people turn their noses up at the thought of a dress from a thrift shop, they can have past prom dresses and even bridesmaid dresses that were only worn once and are in excellent condition. As for hair, makeup and nails, try to have a girls day the morning of prom where you and all your friends can do each other nails and this also offers you some gossiping time about the night ahead. If you feel it’s necessary to get your hair and makeup professionally done, beauty schools, like Aveda, offer cheaper rates and department stores will usually have free makeovers just for prom.
Guys have a little less to worry about and many don’t even think to get their tuxes till the week before the big night. While many tuxes can be between $100 and $200, renting a tux can be as low as $40 and many tux shops offer prom specials. Buying a second hand tux is also a way to save money and many are in still good condition. And of course, you are only going to be wearing the tux for a couple hours so borrowing one from a friend or sibling is never a bad idea. Paying for your girl’s corsage may get pricey, so get in tune with your creative side and make her one yourself. It will be a lot cheaper and she’ll think its super cute that you put time into making it.
Rolling up to prom in your Camry isn’t exactly the coolest thing you can do. Many beg their parents to rent them a limo. Prices can be anywhere from $60 to $250 per hour and this is way too expensive for a long night of driving. A good cheap way to party on the way to prom is to rent a car instead. A rental car is about $80 for the whole night and that is a deal if you get enough people to pitch in. If you rent a big SUV you can still fit many people in one car and still look high class as you arrive at prom.
Though prom shopping may be stressful, there is no reason to not have the best night of your life. As long as you’re willing to shop on a budget, you will still have a great time and still have money to spare.
Written by Danielle Guthrie
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