Prom Dresses

Hello D.,

We are in the same boat. Daughter going to prom next month but we will make a decission on the dress soon. We go down town LA 2 to 3 times a year. Los Angeles Street or Sante at around 9th to 12th Street. This area has about 50 dress shops. We went down there shopping for Homecoming. We found a beautiful dress. Long story short, daughter found a more casual dress and saw her girlfriends really dressed up that night. She said she should have bought the dress from down town L.A. It is crazy busy at times but the variety of dresses can't be matched. Some dresses are unbelievably priced low and some are priced slightly below the Mall prices.

Good Luck

There are several "Night on the Town" or "One night Affair" type stores here in Orange County where you can rent gorgeous gowns for the night. I'm sure there are several in LA and close to your house.

I took my sister to the garment district in downtown LA for her prom dress and it was beautiful - we bargained with the lady and got it for one hundred bucks. I can't remember specifically where because there are several dress shops down there but I usually park around Pico and 5th but the alley is not where you will find the stuff. You have to go on the streets surrounding the alley. (Big banner... Santee Alley and it is really busy there.) As you drive around looking for parking, you'll see stores with dresses in the window. You want to go to the larger stores with colored dresses in the window since there are many that do quinceanera dresses which are usually white. I would shop north west of the alley. For example, if you know landmarks, walk up 5th or 7th toward Staple Center or any of the business buildings - don't walk toward San Pedro Street. http://www.fashiondistrict.org/page.aspx?id=125

Santa Ana has 4th street (It would help if you spoke Spanish there). This is 4th Street and Main. Park as soon as you find a spot and just walk down the street. There are tons of dress shops there too. Great prices.

Bridal shops have great prices on bridesmaid dresses and those can be very pretty.

At the mall, Charlotte Russe, H&M, Macy's, Forever 21, Windsor, Reference... will have inexpensive options for dresses. I don't know your price range but at those stores, you can find a really pretty dress between $50-$100.

If you choose the outlets (Cabazon, Elsinore, Carlsbad, Citadel...) you may find a good price on a designer dress but it will still cost more than you would pay for any of the above dresses without the label.

Good luck!

I dont know much about that, but I would suggest thrift stores and Craig's List, if she doesnt mind used or vintage.

I don't have a great answer for you, but after I read your question, I happened to see an article on MSN.com. Here is a link about an online consignment shop for designer clothes: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/video/default.aspx?t=v.... I hope this helps!

I am not from CA.. but a few years ago while on vacation.. great deals at the Cabazon outlet mall.. outside of palm springs.. maybe call your local outlet mall information center first and ask them if they have any dress shops that have prom dress style.. get the store # and call them tell them what u are looking for.. or even go to an upscale area and check their goodwill stores.. I have found ralph lauren and beautiful DKNY coach things at goodwill.. some with tags..

I dont know how much you are wanting to spend...if its like a hundred bucks or so I know JC Penney has some good deals...saw some the other day. Anything less than that ...I don't know. Depends on the quality you are looking for. I never went to my prom so I didn't have to deal with the dress buying.

I bought formal style dresses at Nordstrom Rack during their sales for dress up clothes for my daughter. This was when they marked select merchandise way down. Since this is prom season they may not have such good values but you could call and ask.

Also, we have an organization here (can't think of it's name) that collects donations of prom dresses and then sells them for a nominal amount to pay for their expenses of renting a space and advertising. Everyone is eligible to shop with them. You probably have a similar resource in your area.

Several years ago, I went to a Jessica McClintock Outlet and bought BM dresses and other dresses as low as $7. They have tons of dresses there including Prom dresses. My wedding was at the end of April, so around this time of the year, they have a great sales event like 60% to 75% off. I was really happy with my purchases. Here is the address and phone number.
Jessica McClintock Outlet:
5458 Moreno St.
Montclair, Ca 91763
###-###-####
Hours
10 AM - 5 PM THURSDAY - SUNDAY (CLOSED TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY)

Best of luck to you and your daughter. Happy shopping!!

I used Davids Bridal for both Winter formal and Prom. My prom dress was only $60!! :D My mother was estatic!! LOL

jessica mcclintock, i bought my wedding dress for 15.
also try Ross dress for less and Styles for less

I think they have services in your yellow pages were you can rent prom dresses in your area. I think one of the department stores like Jcpenney or Macy's was also sponsering donated or rental gowns.