How Do YOU Dress for Formal Events without Breaking the Bank?!
Check out the email I recently received from Lori…
“My husband and I will be attending a black tie Air Force event (dinner and ceremony for an award my husband, along with others, are nominated for) in March. Neither of us currently own any appropriate black tie attire and I’m looking for a budget-friendly option but don’t even know where to start. Do you have any tips for finding something that won’t be too expensive?”
With that in mind, do YOU have any tips on how to dress for formal events without breaking the bank? Please share! 🙂
Ebay is a great place to look for formal attire as many people wear the garment once and then try to resell it. I’ve gotten formal gowns for similar events on Ebay for $20 or less. Alternatively, you could rent a dress from places like Rent The Runway, or borrow from family or friends.
Very true! My bridesmaids did this! And then resold their gowns!
Go to renttherunway.com. They have some very cute dresses in their “Black Tie Event” section. Rental prices start at just $35, but most will cost $70.
Rent the Runway! Search for coupon codes first and you can usually get a good deal on a 4 day rental. I was very pleased the one time I used them and a couple of my friends are hooked as well.
renttherunway.com
I go to my local second hand shop. I was able to get a wedding dress for less than $20 and then got it tailored to fit me better. Depends what’s around your area.
I always go to the sale discount rack at Macy’s and Lord and Taylor’s. Most of the time you can use a coupon. I needed a dress for a formal at Christmas. The original price was $189.00 but after all of my coupons, I only paid $28.00!!!
Right now is a good time to shop sale racks for formal attire- they’re clearance out holiday and New Year’s formal dresses. My husband’s work has an annual formal in early March, and I almost always find a dress on clearance. This year it was at Macy’s – after the 40% rack and 25% off for a $3 donation to the American Heart Assoc., my dress was 54 dollars! That’s cheaper than most on renttherunway.com, though that is a good option if you can’t find anything while shopping.
My daughter and I check local boutiques after New Years, if she has an event coming up. They typically have a lot of after 5 outfits leftover from New Years. They mark them down quickly to make space for Spring items.
Ha!!!!!! I haven’t been invited to a formal event since 2002.
I know military people do this, and I have a few friends who’s husbands are high ups in the private sector and have to attend black tie events on occasion.
Otherwise, am I just completely isolated from the upper echelons of society? Do you all do these kind of things? I don’t get that dressed up for weddings, which is about the only situation I would consider even semi-formal.
I’m with you, no formal events here either!
Ha me too! Jeans and a cute top are dressed up for me since i stay home with my kids and am normally in sweats. 😉
Seriously! You’re not alone. I live in a small town though. People here would laugh at the idea of a black tie event.
Ditto.
I hate dressing up and refuse to wear heels, especially. Here in Louisiana we have Mardi Gras balls and you can usually find a friend or relative to borrow from. I try to avoid all formal events, though. I hate them!
I never have formal events to attend ever! We don’t even have work Christmas parties. Wish we did though. It seems like fun to get all dressed up purdy.
Another vote for renttherunway.com. I’ve had lots of great experiences with the company! Great customer service too.
Rent the runway is great, you get two different sized of the same dress that is delivered before your event, there is usually a coupon code out there for your first time. I have also had luck finding formal attire in local consignment shops as well.
Wish.com also have nice dresses and affordable prices. You can always rent from consignment shops as well.
Ask friends on social media! Most people love to help out. And I love to help others when they need something too! AND thrift stores like savers. I live in Las Vegas so this is actually a valid option, check them out!
My husband and I have to attend several black tie events each year due to my job. I have done several things to keep the cost down on a formal dress. I have purchased several new formal dresses for less than $50 on clearance racks at major department stores – Dillards, JC Penney, Dress Barn, Marshalls, Bridal stores, but you have to look throughout the year. I have borrowed several dresses from friends. I have purchased from consignment stores. I purchased one of my favorite dresses (White House Black Market) at Goodwill last year. This year I am going to rent a dress on Rent the Runway. Several of my friends have had great luck renting a dress. I always try to buy something not too trendy so it can be worn again. Good Luck!
Great ideas! My husband changed careers last year and the formal events have been quite intimidating for me. I’ve also had to slowly rebuild my wardrobe over the past year because I lost quite a bit of weight, so I literally have no formal attire left.
I get most of my formal wear at thrift or second hand stores on their 50% off days. I scored my wedding dress for $30 and many formal dresses for around $10 or less. Start hunting ahead of time. I also got a formal dress from ebay. I sometimes get luck at department stores like Macy’s or Marshalls.
I find that Macy’s clearance, ebay, and amazon are great places to start. Just a few days ago Collin posted a deal on “bridesmaid” dresses form David’s Bridal on Amazon for around 20.00 a piece. You can never go wrong with a classic looking basic formal dress that you can accessorize to suit the event. Just last weekend my local Macy’s had some amazing deals on clearance jewelry.
Sears has very nice formal clothing at decent prices.
I got an incredibly nice thigh length dress for 5 bucks last year in the green tag sale
It never hurts to check your local Goodwill/thrift store. Often times, people buy a formal dress or suit, wear it one time, and donate it because they know they will never wear it again. if you’re lucky, you can score a practically new dress/suit for next to nothing.
Usually, I like to stock up early with different dresses that I find for cheap at different stores, so that when the time comes, I just grab one and wear it. But if I’m not prepared and an event comes up, then I would recommend trying different stores, like: Ross, Tj Maxx, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, Macy’s, Jc Penney, Kohl’s, Sears, Papaya, Fashion Q, Windsor, Rue21, Charlotte Russe, etc. These stores provide many dresses and range from different prices, with some being cheaper and some accepting coupons. Or I would also suggest a Thrift store because sometimes those clothes are still new looking and are very affordable, like Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any local thrift shops. If all else fails and I still can’t find a dress, I would try to find a nice top with a skirt and combine the two, which to me, can be as formal as a dress. Just search around and I’m sure you can find an affordable dress for the right occasion. Good luck and happy shopping! 🙂
Dillard’s clearance section. I usually go to 1-3 a year. I try to keep it around $30. I always have a spare in my closet. If it’s on sale, I buy it as there are some formals we go to every year. Saves money. What does everyone do with them once they are worn? I want rid of them!!
Marshalls, tj maxx, ross, and nordstrom rack have discounted quality formal wear! They have top brands and i promise you will never pay full price. They have clearance going on right now.
yes check Ross for sure! Also ebay has great options for next to nothing.
Look at TJMaxxDotcom. Seriously, they have gorgeous gowns and they are reasonably priced and they are age-appropirate (meaning they don’t look like they borrowed your daughter’s homecoming dress).
A’Gaci is a great store for cocktail attire. I got a beautiful dress for 20$ there!
Eshakti.com is a great site – you can buy in sizes 0-36 or customize their clothing to your specific measurements. They have frequent sales and often send out extra coupons. I am on the larger size of plus size and have gotten all sorts of great, professional, and fancy dresses and shirts there customized for very good prices!
This is my referral link and when you use it you can get $40 off a purchase of $70 or more: https://share-eshakti.com/x/JXWvoN
Their current sale is buy 1 item, get 20% off, but 2 items, get 1 additional item free, and buy 3 items, get 2 additional free.
I love eshakti! Their dresses have such a great fit. I’ve purchased from them a lot and have always been happy with the fit and quality of their dresses.
Just make sure to check their sizing chart because it’s very different from regular store sizing.
As a military spouse, we have these atleast once a year. We’ve moved often enough that I have had 1-2 in the closet and I can wear it again. I have had to buy 2 in the last few years though and I have found them on clearance at JCPenny. I’ve used the $10/25 coupon on them and have paid $30-40 for each one.
Operation glass slipper- provides prom dresses/gowns & accessories for HS students here. All gowns avail are from donations, and they even offer free alterations! Other cheapy options: Sears/Jcpenny! Choose a nice type of fabric dress, no tacky sparkle shine fabrics. You need to buy from an expensive shop, it’s how you wear it! Nice hair & accessories will complete your look flawlessly 😉
if you have a typically easy to fit figure order from amazon or aliexpress
I just ordered a formal gown for a wedding off Amazon and they are making it to my specific measurements – SO pleased that I don’t have to get it tailored after already paying for the dress!
I have recently found some really nice cocktail dress on clearance at Kohls.com
White House Black Market has some really nice dresses (some are even floor length) for a decent price… and there’s even a clearance thing going on right now!
I just purchased a formal Ralph Lauren gown for $56 (originally $200) from Ralph Lauren online with a coupon code and free shipping thanks to Shoprunner. I also got one from the clearance rack at TJ Maxx for $29 and later saw the exact dress at Bloomingdale’s for $150+.
It sounds like you need something for your husband too based on the comment, I am guessing he cannot wear his military uniform? My DH got his tux from a rental store that was selling old ones. I think he paid like $80 and it is a Ralph Lauren. He wears it for all different reasons now. A good investment piece 🙂
Burlington coat Factory is where my most recent formal gown came from for Army events. I picked an eggplant color with very little beading. I would have preferred navy or black, but that wasn’t an option. I wanted something with a classic cut and just a little sparkle.
I’ve found some great gowns at Nordstrom Rack and Saks Fifth Off Fifth. I got a $700+ gown for less than $100.
I have generally been able to get dresses in clearance sections of Dillard’s and Macy’s fairly easily- if you’re in a military town it might be worth it to check further towns too- I can imagine they could be fairly popular. Shoes have always been tough for me but regularly skimming places like Ross have helped- they also have a decent dress assortment around teen prom time- even grown up styles
Goodwill! I bought my daughter a beautiful black gown. Still had the $110 new price tag on it. I got it for $20!
Shoes are another thing, though. She has very wide feet, so we pay lots for good shoes!
Belk.com has formals on clearance all the time. Just select the clearance button and go from there. I get all my formals from there and never pay more than 30.00 total
Our oldest son recently married. I was able to find a BEAUTIFUL “mother of the groom” dress on ebay for right at $20 shipped. His best man (younger brother) wore a suit found at Goodwill (sports coat, dress shirt, pants and shoes) for $28.99 and his youngest brother (ring bearer) wore a vest/pants found on ebay for about $16.50 and his dress shirt was 3.99. It IS possible to find VERY, VERY nice things to wear if you don’t mind looking. Good luck and thank you and your husband for your service!
I design couture gowns. 👗 In high school I purchased couture gowns on deep discount and altered them for a custom fit; then gradually began designing my own. I disliked all the commercially available cotillion dresses and prom gowns.
I shop at Marshalls and Ross formal dresses. I have gotten some great deals there. My husband shops JCPenny men’s and Men’s Warehouse. They usually have good sales and discounts if you catch them at the right time.
I don’t go to formal events very often, but my cousin had a black tie wedding a few months ago that I needed a formal dress for–I live in Houston and we have a Dillards outlet here which I usually go to when I am in need of a dress. I found one there, but I also found a few other options at Burlington Coat factory.
I would check out thrift shops and consignment shops. Very often people donate formal attire to charity thrift shops for the tax deduction they bring, for charitable contributions.
Just checked out RenttheRunway.com for a prom dress for my daughter’s senior prom. In the past, I’ve gotten two formal dresses from A.J. Wright before they closed for less than $50 for both. Check out bridal consignment shops as well. Hadn’t seen anyone mention it yet but check Craigslist for formal/prom dresses. Usually a great deal as its only worn one time. I’m about to post my daughter’s dress from junior prom to sell on Craigslist.
Forgot to mention we purchased her junior prom dress from Amazon for around $70. Such a beautiful dress and didn’t cost much at all.
Check TJMaxx.com. Free shipping on $89 or more. Buy a few you like. Then return what doesn’t work for free in a TJ Maxx store.
If you are on a base then the base thrift shop often rents dresses for 20 and some are fantastic. My ball gown was gorgeous and I only spent 20 they also have shoes and accessories 🙂
Clearance rack at Dressbarn
Another neat thing about renttherunway is you get to see real reviews on the dress with photos to see how it fits on different body types in real life, and tips on how to style it with accessories. I also loved how they gave me a little gift bag with free gum and lotion in it. AND I got to keep the hanging garment bag.
Check your local formal wear boutiques. Ours has clearance of their off the rack sample gowns for $10. Most are too bridesmaid looking, but you can definitely dig for some good finds!
I love this question because I recently had the same issue for a gala. I did Rent The Runway and it was so amazing! Their customer service was outstanding and they even sent me one dress that was brand new with the tags still on it! If you are new to Rent the Runway, you can get $20 credit off your first order.
https://refer.renttherunway.com/x/kcxmwk
Ross has had some fabulous dresses over the years! Only $30. My husband is active duty Marines so we attend a formal ball every year. Over the years, I’ve saved the dresses and when we go to a new command, I wear the dress again. 🙂
Ruelala.com
I love Ross! I’m plus size and I always find great dresses there. I wore a floor length gown to a formal banquet on Valentine’s that I bought on clearance at Ross for $16.99! I got so many compliments on it!