Prom-Ready for Pennies

Don’t let price keep your princess from the prom.  Girls can look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.

A recent ABC News World report profiled mothers who each spent $3,000 on their daughters for the prom. Junior/Senior Prom is three weeks away, and it is possible to look like a princess without paying a royal price, even at this late date.

Avery Keatley, a 2010 Wissahickon graduate, was asked to the prom just weeks before the big night. Initially, she hesitated in accepting the invitation.  Spending a lot of money was against her convictions, and made her almost turn down the date.

But with a little bit of brainstorming, and following the bridal adage: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” Keatley found she already had what she needed to look like a million bucks. 

Something old: Her grandmother’s rhinestone necklace.

Something new:  Her chic hair cut by Fran at the funky, hard-rock-themed Floyds 99 Barbershop, 2610 W. Moreland Ave. in Willow Grove. Cost:  $30 with tip.

Something borrowed:  Her sister’s silver, satin, stripy heels with rhinestone buckles—which she kicked off as soon as she started dancing.

Something blue: Well, almost blue. Her purple Jessica McClintock dress that originally retailed for $500 was free, thanks to a dress giveaway. Keatley picked out the strapless, full-length taffeta gown in beautiful condition the year before, in hopes of someday going to the prom. She got it dry cleaned at the , 1721 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell. A coupon brought Keatley’s dry-cleaning bill to $1.90.

Although most dress giveaways occur in February and March, pre-owned designer gowns are stuffed on racks at , 4084 Skippack Pike in Skippack. Shop owner Pattienne helps fit each girl during her appointment in gowns that compliment her figure.  

To stock her store, Pattienne shops in New York City for dresses by designers girls want: BCBG, Flirt by Maggie Sottero, Paris and Jovanni. Each gown is dry cleaned. The average price is $79.  Shorter dresses range from $24 to 50. 

Pattienne even suggests girls swap gowns to save money.

Keatley also saved money by doing her nails at home. She had Revlon polish from the dollar store that matched her gown perfectly. Paint nails like a pro after watching this YouTube video.

Keatley’s older sister reads about the latest makeup application techniques, and was her make-up artist for the prom.  If there’s no makeup lover available to help, watch this YouTube video for basic application techniques. For a more dramatic look, search YouTube for further instructions. 

The final purchase was a boutonniere for Keatley’s date.  Cost: $13. 

Keatley spent $45 for the prom. She  looked like a princess without paying a royal price, on short notice.