What’s the Average Prom Dress Cost?

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A paper with the word prom written in capital letters is placed on a pink background with a disco ball and prom accessories surrounding it

As prom season fast approaches, you’ve probably started browsing for your prom outfit. There are lots of places to shop at, including retail stores, thrift stores, and designer boutiques. You may find yourself wondering what the right amount to spend on a prom dress is.

Well, this depends greatly from person to person. If you love spending on clothes and appreciate the bespoke nature of designer dress, then you can look at higher costs. If you want to stun in a stylish dress, but don’t care for brand or designer name, then the cost can drop significantly for you.

The average cost of a prom in the United States varies from $150-$500. To learn more about the average prom dress cost, read on.

Factors That Go Into Prom Dress Cost

It can be helpful to understand what goes into the pricing for your prom dress. What are you really paying for?

To begin with, when buying a prom dress, you need to pay for the cloth, the design, and the tailoring. There are further variables that can drive this cost up, such as customisations and designer services.

If your dress is tailored according to standard sizes, then the price will be on the low to medium end. If you’re looking for custom sizing options, then you’ll have to pay extra for a dress tailored to your measurements. Additionally, you might want a specific cut or style of dress. For example, you might be looking for a mermaid dress that fits your torso just right. For custom measurements such as these, the dress will cost you extra.

Another variable is designer input. If you visit a designer boutique, you’ll find bespoke and unique designs. Since the dress is made much more thoughtfully and is likely higher quality, designer dresses cost more.

Finally, an important factor that makes up the cost of your prom dress is the fabric used. Some fabrics are expensive and drive up the cost of a dress by default. Expensive fabrics include those that are produced with special techniques, such as silk and jacquard.

Hidden Costs to Look Out For

While it’s helpful to be aware of the factors that influence the pricing of your dress, there may be additional costs depending on where you buy from. If you get a dress off the rack or from a retail store, you may find that it requires additional tailoring. This can cost you anywhere between $20-$150. If you’re in a hurry to get your dress tailored, your seamstress may charge extra for completing the service in a hurry. Hence, it can help to start shopping for your dress early so that you can avoid rush charges.

If you order your dress online, shops will likely charge shipping costs. If you choose expedited shipping, the cost can go up by a fair few dollars.

Also note that the tag for most dresses is exclusive of sales tax. This means that when you get to the cash register or online checkout, expect a sales tax to be levied on the price of your dress.

Budget for Accessories and Shoes

In addition to the dress, you will have to purchase undergarments, jewellery and other accessories. As you select your prom dress, consider the accessories, jewellery, bags and shoes you already have. If you plan to buy matching accessories, factor this into the budget you’ve created for prom dress shopping.

How to Save on a Prom Dress?

There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve scored a great deal. There are a few ways to go about saving on a prom dress. It can be tempting to select from the cheapest option, but look out for poor quality tailoring or fabric.

It is wise to select a dress made of high-quality fabrics and simple cuts. Even though this may not be the cheapest option, it will ensure that you get the most wear out of your dress, and therefore get the most value out of your money.

To save on a prom dress, you can also look for high-quality dresses in vintage or thrift stores. You may have to get it dry cleaned and tailored, but you’re likely to find something of fine quality.

Budgeting in Style for Prom

When deciding how much to spend on a prom dress, make a mental checklist of what is important to you. Are you looking for a particular style and fabric? Do you want a name-brand dress? Keeping these factors in mind, you’ll fall within a range between low-end to high-end. Low-end prices can be as low as $50 and go up to $200. Within this range, you can find a perfectly reasonable dress with good fabric and embellishments.