Prom Dress Donations

Do you need a great prom dress but are on a Cinderella budget? So many of us find ourselves in this situation when we have to go to a formal dance. If you don't have a fairy godmother handy try reading this article. A fairy godmother was whispering in my ear when I wrote it.

First place to check out is your local exchange programs. Type "Prom Gown Programs" or "Prom Exchange Program" and your city and state into the search bar. There are an enormous number of dedicated websites, contacts, and information regarding nationwide Prom Gown programs. The most well-known is the Cinderella Project out of Chicago. Girls come together to sell/trade/give-away their once-worn prom dresses at exchange events. If you can't find one in your area consider organizing one yourself.

You can also try the Formal Xchange site. This site allows girls to buy/sell/exchange/trade formal dresses in a safe environment. Prom dresses are available from girls all over the country for free or very reduced prices at Formal Xchange. You can search by price so you find the free ones easily. You pay shipping but that is your only expense if you select a free dress.

A lot of bridal stores will rent out bridesmaid dresses and prom dresses, just like they rent out tuxes for the guys. To save on gas money call first and ask if they rent out formal dresses. Make a list of the ones that do, and then shop around. Remember what your mama told you and "shop around" so you get the best buy. Also check out online sites such as WearTodayGoneTomorrow.com. They rent designer dresses at 10% of the retail price.

You can also check out discount stores in your area such as Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx and Kohl's. Don't forget about resale shops and your local Goodwill Industries stores. You would be surprised at the good buys you can get there. These stores only accept clothes that are in good condition so you won't waste your time looking through damaged items. .

Trends this year for js prom attire length are favoring the short dress which is good as the short dresses are generally less pricey. That said, prom fashion experts say the most important fashion trend you should follow is to choose a look that makes you feel great. If you feel like a knock out in your dress, then that is the right dress for you. A feeling of confidence does wonders for your appearance

The color trend for prom dresses 2011 is bright jewel tone colors. Bold pink, brilliant orange, deep purple, sunny yellow and blazing blue are used in 2011 prom dress color scheme. Of course traditional black or white prom dresses are always in style. Also this year, floral patterns are emerging and bringing us an array of colors all in one dress

This year, one shoulder attire is making an appearance. The one shoulder dress ranges from a sleeveless dress to a mid-length sleeve style to a long-sleeve. Prom dresses this year are sporting a bubble hem. A popular 80's trend, today's bubble hem features a sleeker, updated version of the original retro-chic style. The bubble hem looks best on evening dresses that have a regular or heart-shaped strapless neckline. Some bubble hem prom dresses have more volume than others, so make sure you try a few styles on to find the one that fits you the best and is most flattering for your body type. Also popular in 2011, the strapless prom dress. This is one trend that never goes out of style. The key to wearing a strapless, shorter prom dress is to go with a dress that is just a few inches over the knee and that is not fitted all throughout the dress.

What about the guys? The basic tuxedo looks elegant and is fine to wear if you have a limited budget. The basic tuxedo is a great classic that looks good on any guy and is timeless. Classic black tuxedos with a snug fit and slim jacket happen to be hot this year. Just Google "Rat Pack" and you'll be able to see what that looks like. You can also do a white dinner jacket which will give you a James Bond look.


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