Thumbing through any of the voluminous prom magazines that started appearing on store shelves way back in January, you would think today's teen girls are looking at spending hundreds of dollars on a gown that they'll probably only wear once.
But that doesn't have to be the case.
We found 18 consignment, vintage and thrift stores in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that carry prom dresses as inexpensive as $3 in designs from nearly every decade, from the '20s until today.
All it takes is a little time to find the trendy, retro or timeless treasures that can save you or your teen a ton of dough.
She got her entire prom ensemble - dress, shoes, purse and jewelry - at Sequels Consignment Boutique in Anderson Township for just under $103.
After hitting the mall, she decided to shop at Sequels "mostly to save money, and because I like finding different things and putting them together," says Kemper, who wants to pursue a career in fashion merchandising.
Are you ready to start shopping?
Check out our list of what these area secondhand stores are selling for prom, keeping in mind that their inventory and prices can vary from day to day.
#149 Avant Garage, 4577 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-8268.
Dresses: About 60-70, mostly from the '60s-'80s, $20 to $50. Accessories: Purses, $6-$40; shoes, $15-$30; jewelry, $3-$20. Men's formal wear: Some suits and occasionally tuxes, $25 and up for jackets and $40-$60 for suits.
#149 Billie's Consigning Women, 3535 Dixie Highway, Elsmere, 859-342-0400. Dresses: About 300-400, mostly recent styles and some vintage from the '40s to the '80s, $50-$100. Accessories: Shoes, $15-$50.
Men's formal wear: None.
#149 Casablanca Vintage, 3944 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-6999.
Dresses: About 300-400 from the '20s-'80s, $24-$65, plus thousands of rental dresses, $70-$120. Accessories: Purses, $10-$40, shoes, $8-$100; jewelry, $2-$20. Men's formal wear: Suits for sale from the 30s to today, $35-$55, and tuxes for rent, $63.
90.
#149 Designer Consigner, 11928 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township. 513-697-9555, .
Dresses: About 40-50 vintage and recent styles, $29.99-$120. Accessories: Purses, $10-$25; shoes, $10-$20, jewelry, $5-$200.
Men's formal wear: None.
#149 Edie's Vintage Rose Room, 3397 Glenmore Ave., Westwood, 513-662-3700.
Dresses: About 20 vintage and recent styles, $24.95-$39. Accessories: Purses and shoes, $12-$30.
Men's formal wear: Limited selection of suits and tuxes, about $29 each.
#149 Goodwill, 15 area locations; visit .
#149 Laura's Closet, 7801 Dream St.
, Florence, 859-525-6684. Dresses: About 20, all recent styles in sizes 14 and up, $25-$80. Accessories: Purses, $10-$49; shoes, about $25; jewelry, $5-$8.
Men's formal wear: None.
#149 Libby's Closet, 8312 Plainfield Road, Deer Park, 513-791-6064. Dresses: About 20, mostly recent styles and some vintage, $20-$49.
99. Accessories: Purses, $9.99-$20; shoes, $10.
99-$18, jewelry, $4.99-$40. Men's formal wear: None.
#149 Mustard Seed Boutique, 311 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. 513-221-4022, .
About a dozen dresses, almost all vintage, $48-$125. Accessories: Purses, $12-$60; shoes, $16-$60; jewelry, $14-$120. Men's formal wear: None.
#149 New 2 You Thrift Store, 408 Fourth Ave., Mason. 513-770-0350, .
Dresses: About 20, mostly recent styles, $10-$25. Accessories: Purses, $3-$10; shoes, $3, jewelry, 50 cents-$20. Men's formal wear: No tuxes, about 15 suits, about $10 each.
#149 Peppermint Pig Thrift and Gift, 8255 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township, 513-474-0005. Dresses: About 10-15, recent styles and vintage, $9.
99 each. Accessories: $3 for purses and shoes unless marked otherwise; jewelry, $1-$20. Men's formal wear: Some suits, $9.
99 each.
#149 Salvation Army, 2250 Park Ave. in Norwood, 513-351-3457, or Highway 32 and Winding Creek Boulevard in Willowville (moving to 801 Eastgate South Drive in Eastgate April 11), 513-732-6993.
Prices and selection information unavailable by phone.
#149 Second Time Around Thrift Shop, 2023 Pearl St., Covington, 859-431-4636.
Dresses: About 20, mostly recent styles, $3-$10. Accessories: Purses, $5-$10; shoes, $5; jewelry, 50 cents-$2. Men's formal wear: None.
#149 Sequels Consignment Boutique, 8315 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township, 513-388-0123, . Dresses: About 150, vintage and recent styles, $15-$100.
Accessories: Purses, $6-$25; shoes, $8-$20; jewelry, $6-$200. Men's formal wear: Vintage ties, $5-$7.
#149 Snooty Fox, seven area locations; visit .
Dresses: About 100-150 at each location except Hyde Park, mostly recent styles but some vintage, $19.99-$149. Accessories: Purses and shoes, $10-$30; jewelry, $10-$20.
Men's formal wear: Tuxes at each location except Hyde Park, $49-$99.
#149 St. Vincent de Paul, Eight area locations; visit .
#149 Talk of the Town, 9111 Reading Road, Reading, 513-563-8844. Dresses: About 100 to 150, mostly '60s through '80s but some recent styles, $38-$68. Accessories: Purses, $14-$42; shoes, $18-$28; jewelry, $6-$15.
Men's formal wear: 40-50 suits, mostly '70s-style, $35-$45 to rent and $95-$125 to buy.
#149 Village Discount Outlet, 1813 Monmouth St., Newport, and 9525 Pippin Road, Colerain Township.
614-443-3421, . Dresses: Varying selection in styles '70s to today, $15-$60. Accessories: Purses and shoes, $1-$10; jewelry, 50 cents-$150.
Men's formal wear: Some tuxes, $15-$60.
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