Get Creative

Homecoming 2011 is quickly approaching. You may already have a vision of the perfect dress firmly planted in your mind but when it comes to securing that particular dress the financial aspect, as well as availability, can sometimes interfere. There is nothing worse than having your heart set on a specific dress only to realize too late that the opportunity has passed you by. With the use of a few insider tips and a bit of planning you can be a few steps ahead of the rest. It can be challenging to find inexpensive dresses when you are searching the wrong channels. You want something that not only suits your personal taste but also parallels current trends. With these tips and tricks you will have a great head-start in your race to find the perfect (and perfectly priced) homecoming dress.

There are several routes that you can take to find the right dress but the best way to get your hands on an inexpensive gown is by learning how to properly organize an exchange party. You and hundreds of other girls in your area are seeking out the same thing; a great gown. The idea is simple: bring together as many girls with as many dresses as possible. You can start by securing a location where the exchange can be held. Ask your parents for permission to hold the event at your house or work with friends to arrange the exchange elsewhere. Write up an invitation list. This will help you to estimate the number of girls that you comfortably accommodate. You can use Facebook to your advantage by setting up an 'event page' to invite guests. This will eliminate the hassle of buying or making invitation cards. Twitter is also great for keeping in touch with your invitees. Set a date that is at least one month before the dance. This allows time for possible alterations to be made on any discounted/purchased dresses.

You will want to set a few ground rules for your event. You will have to decide whether the exchange party will be a discounted sale event or a swap party. It is possible to do both but the invitees will need to know in advance. Be sure to announce that all gowns previously worn/used must be dry-cleaned prior to the exchange and any dresses that are swapped/borrowed must be dry-cleaned before it is returned. If snacks are to be served ask each guest to bring something small to help contribute. As the hostess you can provide drinks rather inexpensively. You will also need a few in-house supplies to set the exchange in motion. Here is what you will need: friends with new/gently used dresses (you can also choose to exchange/sell shoes, clutch bags and accessories), a place to hang dresses (separate areas will be needed for swap exchanges and discounted exchanges), changing areas (use rope to hang bed sheets for this purpose), mirrors (full length is best), tags and pencils (for labeling size and dress options), snacks/beverages and tables (separate tables are needed for snacks/beverages and accessories/shoes). The day of the exchange be sure to set-up snacks in a location that will prevent damage/spills to dresses. Have your guests put their name, size and offer onto tags and then hang dresses on appropriate racks according to size. Tag accessories as well. Be sure to give every guest a fair chance to browse once everyone has arrived and arranged their items. A dress exchange is the easiest way to find intricate, vintage and designer dresses at little to no cost. A little planning can pay off in a big way.

Vintage: Cheap and Attention-Grabbing

If you are not into party planning or are looking to buy new (on a tight budget) there are great resources available to you as well. There are tons of websites that offer discount codes, coupons and shipping discounts to some of the hottest online formal wear companies. Sites such as www.retailmenot.com and www.couponmountain.com were made just for you. Discount sites such as these offer you a place to share and use direct link coupons/codes to top companies. You can find coupon codes ranging from 5%-60% off retail to places like Prom Girl, TJ Formal, AX Paris USA and Alexia Admore. Just a little browsing and you may find yourself in a designer dress for 60% off.

And last but not least- Don't forget vintage. Trends continually roll-over and by browsing vintage shops/websites you have a very good chance of finding an amazing dress at a reasonable price. When hunting for vintage it is always best to dry-clean after any purchase but the payoff is well worth this small expense. Keep your options open and you are almost guaranteed to walk away with a great gown and an amazing deal.