Teen clothing

by Carol Smith

Prom Dress Shopping at Resale Shops

If your prom is nearing, get start shopping for a dress. But what can you do if money is tight or you are on a limited budget? Resourceful teens head for resale shops, outlet centers and thrift stores to pick up some great prom dresses at great prices.

We followed one teen on a shopping trip in Houston, Texas, on a mission to find a terrific prom dress without spending a fortune.

Elissa's goal was to find an inexpensive dress that would be flattering, stylish, comfortable and different from what other girls would be wearing. Elissa started out at a store that sells new and used clothing. The store was moving to a new location and everything was marked down 50 percent.

Elissa tried on a gothic-style dress that she thought was dramatic and different. The dress was indeed dramatic, however, so tight that she couldn't breathe and not appropriate for a spring prom.

The next stop was truly a resale shop; its proceeds benefited a women's shelter. But no luck there. The selection was limited, and the few dresses available would not do. On to a vintage clothing store. The old, smelly clothes made one think of Miss Haversham. After petting the two store cats, Elissa was out of there.

Across the street at another resale shop Elissa tried on dresses and felt like the three bears: some were too tight; some were too loose; only one was just right. Almost. This dress would require some alteration. On close inspection, the tailoring needed appeared be minimal. The color wasn't what Elissa originally had in mind; it was a pale lilac. However, the dress was flattering, comfortable and indeed stylish. The back of the dress had strings to lace up, a look that was popular. Elissa looked elegant and stylish. And the price was more than right: $50. Still not sure, Elissa put the dress back and called it a day.

The next Friday, Elissa and her mom headed out for another day of shopping. This time they invited Tim, Elissa's prom date, to accompany them. Two resale thrift shops were closed because it was a religious holiday. It often pays to call ahead of time because thrift and resale shops do not keep regular retail hours.

The vast clothing selection at the Salvation Army distracted Elissa from prom dresses; she wound up buying a cute, bright red velour shirt for $4. Even though several formal dresses were available, none were stylish enough.

Another couple of quick stops at resale shops and the crew was beginning to get tired. Stopping for Vietnamese food revived the group for the next round. Elissa went back to try on the lilac dress from the other day. It still didn't look just perfect. At the considerable urging of her mother, Elissa did finally agree to try on a solid black dress with a silver chain as the halter strap.

She looked stunning. Tim just stared. When asked if he liked the dress, all he could do was nod. The dress was backless and had a side leg slit. Elissa looked elegant and she was comfortable. Then we looked at the price tag: $25.00. That's right - $25.00 for a terrific dress.

Strappy heels from PayLess and inexpensive jewelry from Claire's completed the outfit for less than $50. Elissa looked terrific and saved a bunch of money. Well worth the time spent shopping.