When it comes to stressful shopping experiences, searching for a Prom dress can be on the same level as Black Friday. To help narrow down your options, I’ve reviewed various means of obtaining a gown for the event: renting, buying in either a department store or a specialty store, and obtaining one for free. Happy findings!

Renting: Rent the Runway

• Lowest Price Prom Dress: $50 ($125 retail)

• Highest Price Prom Dress: $450 ($2,995 retail)

Pros:

• Lower cost
• It’s not like you’re going to wear it again anyway
• Free backup size
• $5 spill insurance

Cons:

• Unable to try on
• Limited availability
• License to kill ≠ license to spill

Conclusion: I think that this is a great option for someone who wants to wear a designer dress that would cost thousands of dollars to buy, but only a few hundred to rent. However, there’s no guarantee that they will have the style that you want for the date that you need, so be sure to plan ahead of time if you choose to rent.

Buying In-Store:

Macy’s

• Lowest Price Prom Dress: $46.99

• Highest Price Prom Dress: $429.00

David’s Bridal

• Lowest Price Prom Dress: $49.98

• Highest Price Prom Dress: $869.00

Pros:

• More options
• Ability to try on in store
• Keepsake

Cons:

• A whole lot more $$$
• Will never wear it again
• Loss of closet space
• More likely to have the same dress as others

Conclusion: This is probably the most traditional option for obtaining a prom dress for a reason: you can try it on before you buy it, and ensure that it fits you before you purchase. However, stores such as Macy’s often only have a few different dress styles in their designated “Prom Dress” display, so be sure to look around the entire store before making your selection.

Buying Online: Amazon

• Lowest Price Prom Dress: $9.61

• Highest Price Prom Dress: $3,186.00

Pros:

• Cheapest option
• Biggest selection
• Wide range of sizes

Cons:

• What you see is not always what you get
• Questionable shipping times
• Selection can be overwhelming

Conclusion: While the riskiest of all of your prom dress purchase options, you have the largest selection and the lowest prices at your disposal. Just be sure to check out a seller’s reviews before you purchase, because previous customers will usually be the best indicator as to whether or not you’re going to get a quality dress from the shop.

Prom Dress Giveaway: Sole Searchers’ Bless-A-Dress

Sole Searchers

Pros:

• Free dress and shoes
• Can put money that would have been used for the above items towards other expenses
• Free makeup and hairstyle services

Cons:

• Short event time frame (usually one day only)
• Lengthy wait time to browse
• Limited availability of dresses

Conclusion: While these events are few and far between, I am amazed by the generosity of those who donate to and organize them! If you’re worried about not being able to afford a dress on top of the rest of your prom expenses, I highly suggest looking for an upcoming event such as SoleSearcher’s and checking it out.