Save Money on Prom Essentials: Get Free or Discounted Prom Dresses and More
By LaTina Emerson
Prom night is a pivotal rite of passage for American teens filled with stylish attire and beautiful memories with friends. The glitz and glamor of prom night can certainly add up, however, from the elegant dresses, suits or tuxedoes, hair and nail appointments, shoes and accessories, dinner, transportation and more.
This formal occasion can easily cost hundreds of dollars, which many families simply can’t afford. To help teens get the essentials for prom night and keep costs low, several nonprofit organizations and retailers are offering prom dress giveaways or discount prices on prom attire.
PROM DRESS GIVEAWAYS
The Enchanted Closet Inc.:
On March 21, The Enchanted Closet Inc. is having its 22nd annual prom dress giveaway from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required. The giveaway will be held near downtown Atlanta. The location will be shared after girls register and select an appointment time.
Middle school and high school girls from 14 metro Atlanta counties, including Coweta County, are eligible to shop for prom dresses during the event. Each eligible girl will receive a dress, shoes, jewelry and free or discounted hair and makeup services or products while supplies last.
Those interested in receiving a dress should register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Students must present a school ID card or proof of enrollment (e.g. recent report card) at the time of the appointment. Girls must be present to try on dresses and bring a $10 processing fee for checkout.
The Prom Dress Giveaway Boutiques are set up like a department store with dress racks and accessory departments. Girls are given personal shoppers who create a special shopping experience for them.
Dresses, shoes, jewelry, cosmetic products and services are provided through the generous support of businesses, individuals, and corporate and retail sponsors. Citizens and celebrity stylists are also offering Enchanting Makeovers. To be considered for a special makeover, each girl must submit a brief essay in the registration survey.
For more information, visit https://enchantedcloset.org/
Becca’s Closet Reborn:
Becca’s Closet Reborn of LaGrange has mostly new and some gently used prom dresses available for girls attending the prom (or other formal social events, such as father-daughter dances).
Girls in need of a dress can text Becca’s Closet at 706-333-4470 or send a private Facebook message to either Becca’s Closet Reborn or organizer Shelia East Duffey. They can also visit https://www.beccascloset.org/ to find all Becca’s Closet chapters. Duffey will set up a time and location to view the prom dresses.
All girls are eligible to receive a dress, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Many dresses range in value from $200 to $300.
Donations of larger size dresses are also needed. All donations are tax deductible and tax forms are available, Duffey said.
DISCOUNTS ON PROM ATTIRE
Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop:
At Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop, shoppers can find prom dresses in the shop’s formal wear department ranging in price from $20 to $40. The 250,000-square-foot-store also sells jewelry, shoes and purses.
Sales will benefit the thrift shop’s college scholarship program for high school students.
Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop is at 459 Hwy. 74 South in Peachtree City, Ga. For more information, visit https://www.
Goodwill:
Goodwill retail stores in Newnan will have prom dresses, purses, suits and formal shoes available this prom season.
Goodwill has store locations at 228 Bullsboro Drive and 3121 Highway 34 East in Newnan. For more information, call the Bullsboro Drive store at 770-254-8480 or the Highway 34 East store at 678-854-6839.
The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army has some prom attire, including suits, shoes (for males and females) and purses, and occasionally a few prom dresses, based on donations.
The Salvation Army is at 670 Jefferson Street in Newnan. For more information, call 770-251-8181.
A Better Way Bargains:
A Better Way Bargains, a thrift store that supports A Better Way Ministries, will have some prom dresses and accessories for sale this prom season.
The nonprofit helps men with clothing, food, shelter, outreach and discipleship training.
A Better Way Bargains is at 320 Dividend Drive in Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-486-8711 or visit https://abwbargains.com/.
Broadway Hi Fashion:
This prom season, Broadway Hi Fashion is offering discounts on tuxedo rentals and suit and tuxedo purchases. Discounts will vary by style. Suits are available in a wide variety of colors. Shoes are also available.
Broadway Hi Fashion is at 6 Jackson St. in Newnan. For more information, call 770-253-7014.
Men’s Wearhouse:
At Men’s Wearhouse, prom shoppers can purchase a coat and pants and receive a free shirt and tie (Egara brand only) for $300. The retail promo deal will end in May.
Rental clients will receive a coat, pants, shirt, tie, socks, shoes, vest, cufflinks and pocket square for $215 to $250. This deal is available year-round.
Men’s Wearhouse is at 376 Newnan Crossing Bypass in Newnan. For more information, call 770-251-7506.
David’s Bridal:
David’s Bridal is giving up to 25 percent off many dresses valued at $199 to $349. The sale will last throughout prom season and additional discounts might be available in the future.
David’s Bridal is at 1902 Mount Zion Road in Morrow, Ga. For more information, call 770-472-1311 or visit https://www.davidsbridal.com/?
An Affair to Remember:
An Affair to Remember is offering 50 percent off short homecoming dresses, which can be worn to prom. The bridal store’s staff anticipates that prom specials on long formal dresses will begin in April.
The bridal shop is at 9 East Lafayette Square in LaGrange, Ga. For more information, call 706-416-2396 or visit https://www.
Pretty Sure:
Pretty Sure sells formal dresses for a variety of occasions, including proms, pageants and homecoming events. Subscribe to the store’s newsletter to find out about exclusive events and special sales.
Pretty Sure is at 3 East Broad St. in Newnan. For more information or to book an appointment, call 770-733-2650 or visit https://www.prettysureprom.
Discount retailers:
Discount retailers such as Ross, T.J. Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory sell semiformal dresses, shoes, purses and accessories at reduced prices. Ross is at 1140 Bullsboro Drive in Newnan. T.J. Maxx is at 567 Bullsboro Drive in Newnan.
Department stores:
Shoppers can look for deals on prom dresses, suits, shoes and accessories at department stores, such as JC Penney, Kohl’s, Belk, Dillard’s and Macy’s. To save money on purchases, find store coupons on the stores’ websites or apps and enroll in store rewards programs.
