Years ago girls on a budget were limited to trying to find sales at the mall or relying on the latest offering at the second hand store as a way of finding affordable prom dresses. Now there are even more options available to the girl who would rather spend a big wad of cash on a new ipod that they can enjoy for years than a dress they will only wear for a few hours.

Long gone are the days where the only place to purchase a prom dress was a fancy bridal shop with its equally fancy and expensive pricing. Since the emergence of the internet, it has become even easier to find affordable prom dresses that will not cost a fortune. The phrase 'affordable prom dresses' sounds like an oxymoron, but with a little creativity and imagination any girl can look like a million bucks on her prom night without spending a lot of cash.

A good place to start when looking for a prom dress is ebay. You never know what kinds of things will show up in their listings. And whether you're looking for a traditional dress or something more funky, chances are that someone out there is selling affordable prom dresses that are well within your budget. Since ebay is often hit or miss when it comes to used items, your next best bet is to search the sales at any store that has an online shop. Banana Republic often has a great selection of dressy clothing on sale like evening wear and cocktail dresses that would make fine choices for prom wear. When it comes to finding affordable prom dresses, use every resource and leave no store unshopped.

Another alternative is making your own prom dress. Molly Ringwald did it in Pretty in Pink, and she was the belle of the ball. The other girls in their expensive formal gowns were envious of how good she looked, and probably wished they had the talent to design their own affordable prom dresses. If you're skilled at all with fashion design this would be a great time to show off your artistry.

Ultimately, affordable prom dresses are out there, you just have to have the patience to do the work in finding them. And if you open yourself to the idea that affordable prom dresses do exist, and don't sink all of your cash into an expensive dress, you can use the money you have left over to pay for a swanky ride and a nice hotel room for after the prom.