<p>My D is short and small, she wore a short dress from Francesca’s last year. She is very picky. Dress was beautiful and only $40. We do a lot of shopping online because of her size. Her prom was a mix of dress lengths . </p>
<p>Yes, Ross did have some bridesmaids dresses that looked fine for prom and were very reasonable. You have to search and may need to alter. </p>
<p>Also, check J. Crew wedding collection. Most of their silk chiffon bridesmaid dresses are very well made and would work great for prom and beyond, and J. Crew is a go to place for small sizes. I believe they have a promo going on, 25% off their wedding and party stuff. </p>
<p>Just one comment…the OP’s daughter is worried about the dress. YES she should like her dress and be comfortable in it. No it should not break the bank. Yes there should be a budget set for all prom expenses. </p>
<p>But think of this…she is unlikely to ever wear that dress again. By the time her fifth high school reunion comes around, she is going to wonder why she bought the dress she bought regardless of the price. My daughter loved her prom dress when she wore it to the prom. I wish I could give it away! She will never use it again (size 2…anyone need that size).</p>
<p>Good luck finding a kid who who isn’t picky or for whom everything fits! In that respect, your d is very, very much like everybody else. I’ve got a 4’10" girl with a double d bra and a 5’ girl with no curves at all. Our biggest challenge was avoiding strapless. One didn’t want to be popping out. The other’s got nothing to hold up the dress. </p>
<p>4’10" girl went to 3 proms, twice in borrowed dresses, once in her own. My suggestion is to look for a dress that won’t need more than hemming. You want a straight bottom you can just turn up and no cut-outs that’ll hit in the wrong places. We hemmed one of the borrowed dresses for the night and let the hem back out before cleaning. 5’ girl found a dress that’s supposed to be tea length on taller girls. It works well. </p>
<p>Borrowed dresses cost only what the dry cleaner charges for cleaning. I can hem (and you probably can, too; it’s easy), so no alterations. Or if you d can wear 5" heels (both mine do), you may not even need to hem. Someone suggested consignment stores. Those are good. One of older d’s friends went to prom in a dress she got at Good Will (gorgeous and just $15). You might try those kinds of places. Clearance racks are always fun. Younger d is going to prom in a clearance dress we found for $40. I paid more for the bombshell bra to go under it. </p>
<p>When my D went to the prom 2 years ago finding the dress was an ordeal. D is almost 5’8", but is only 108 lbs and size 00. She ended up with a dress from BCBG that was gorgeous on her, but as others have said she’s never worn it again. She had to wear 4" heals with the dress so I know it would have to be hemmed for someone much shorter than her.</p>
<p>My daughter got her prom dresses online and never spent more than $100 for them. One of them was a sort of Downton Abbey costume, which people borrow on occasion. The other was a more typical prom dress that I doubt she’ll wear again.</p>
<p>Original OP here, thanks for all the input. My 4’10" girl has no curve, so a strapless dress will be very challenging! Agree on a straight bottom dress if possible, easy to hem (I can do straight hem).</p>
<p>As far as BCBG dresses, I just checked their website, the cheapest gown is $200, most of them are close to $300, am I looking at the right place? I am clueless about fashion and never look beyond Kohls and JcPenny myself. My daughter always accuses me of dressing like an “old lady”.</p>
<p>Don’t think the borrowing route will work since we really do not know a lot of people, but I will stop by the Red, White & Blue with her one day and check things out, but I remember I had stopped by there a couple of times, they really don’t have any good clothing items. </p>
<p>We still have time, so will keep looking, trust me she is really picky! Thumper1, do you know anyone who is giving away a size 00 prom dress?! 
hahaha</p>
<p>My daughter was in a wedding. Her dress of choice was a BCBG dress which was $300. She tried it on in a store, then went to Amazon (on my suggestion) and got the SAME dress for $100. </p>
<p>My neighbor’s kiddo is is. 0, but she is NOT giving away a dress as far as I know!</p>
<p>Hopeful, check if there is a BCBG outlet store nearby (within a reasonable driving distance). Thhat’s where D got one of her prom dresses. It was under $100! </p>
<p>Sign up for RueLaLa, Hautelook (a Nordstrom store), and Myhabit. They often have pretty dresses for pennies on the dollar!</p>
<p>Forgot - check ModCloth dot com. Plenty of inexpensive party dresses! I bought clothing from them in the past, for both girls and myself (and a wall clock for the Mr’s office ). </p>
<p>Since DD is a performance major we have gotten good at finding deals in gowns. She is not a 00, but we have found good deals at Nordstroms on line, Dillards on line and one year her prom dress was from White House Black Market. It was a black and white halter dress that went to college with her and was very popluar as a loaner. We have also used Ideeli (on line) and the sales racks at Macy’s and Lord and Taylor. Her gowns are almost always under or just around $100. Sometimes they were as low as $40.</p>
<p>Outlet stores are great especially for things that will only be worn a few times.
Eshakti also will customize clothes to your measurements ( I wouldn’t call it bespoke however)
<a href=“Shop dresses | Women's Fashion Clothing | Sizes 0-36W Custom Dresses, Women’s Tops & Skirts - Shop eShakti”>Shop dresses | Women's Fashion Clothing | Sizes 0-36W Custom Dresses, Women’s Tops & Skirts - Shop eShakti;
<p>Are there any towns nearby that might have an upscale consignment shop? Also, bridesmaid dresses are much cuter these days than in my day and many bridal shops carry occasion dresses. </p>
<p>My D was asked to prom as a sophomore and didn’t want to spend a lot on a dress so she borrowed one from a neighbor. Of course, if you need to alter it, you will have to find someone who is willing to give or sell you the dress. Craigslist often has prom and bridesmaid dresses for sale as well as eBay. Shopping online will give you a lot more options than your local mall.</p>
<p>Check out simplydresses.com. They have petites, size 0 long dresses, for under a $100. There are several online stores with similar offerings. With a pair of high heels, you may not need even need to have it hemmed. </p>
<p>Actually simplydresses.com has two dresses in a size 00 priced at $129.00. A little over budget, but perhaps they wouldn’t need altered. </p>
<p>Ebay. Search by some brands you see at department stores/websites. I just tried J Crew size 0 and there are plenty. You can ask questions before buying for sizing. Good luck.</p>
<p>Friends daughter’s prom gown was from Cache (a store in the Mall with nice clothes.) Just checked out Ebay for a dress in 0 too. Check it out. Search Womens clothes. Dress. Search the brand then click on size. </p>
<p>Was at macys today–one day sale. Their prom dresses were 25% off and if you have any coupons I believe there is a 15% off one online. You could always try and sell it later. My d has a friend who did pageants and she resells many dresses. I know there must be a pageant resell site.</p>
<p>Thumper- donate that dress to Becca’s Closet. They give formal dresses to girls who can’t afford them.</p>