When DD was high school, who was quite involved in quite a few things... in school and out... She needed lots of dressy stuff, and dressier clothing, Dressy short for Homecoming, Dressy Long for Prom, Then another dress for home coming court, spring formals, then all the banquets, color guard and band stuff, and other clubs dinners and banquets, awards ceremony, the list can go on and on...Plus things that we had at Church for high school kids.
Here's what I learned... It's all about timing... and shopping and buying clearance racks... You can really scores some nice dresses, and other dressy occasions... Stick to basic styles and colors... Knowing what you will need for the year is important... and they will not want to wear same thing to a functions more than once...
Don't be afraid to buy something that you can dress up or down... can you take of a belt or some bow, or flower, and add a nicer belt, and it will look totally different... I bought DD a basic black dress...It had a terrible belt with it, with these weird flowers ... so we took the belt off, and I had a sparkly belt in the "dress" closet..... along with some sparkly earring that I had picked up, and she was good to go... she wore red heels, and carry a tiny red bag with a silver chain... and she was just stunning...
You can score at Macy's, you just have to be always looking and thinking way ahead of the game... Don't just check the formal area, look in last call
(clearance)... Over the summer check these areas... So the best dresses I bought DD were in the summer time... 300.00 dollar dress marked down to 11.00 yes please, a 500.00 dollar formal dress, marked down to 35.00 again another yes Please....
Even now, I shop this way... Last week I came across this super cute long skirt that was in DD's size, so I got it, then at another store I found the perfect tank to go with it... this will be great for the summer here in Florida, she is getting the outfit as one of her birthday presents in April... I bought a Michael Kors short sundress for myself, at Steinmart for 20.00, It will be a nice date night dress... I know that we are going to Japan this year, and I will need a nice coat, so I am shopping for this now... I am looking to score under 50.00 bucks... so we will see...
Store like Marshall, and TJ Maxx will have nice summer casual dresses, short to long, I have gotten them for like 15.00 to 30.00 dollars... They also will have more trend options, that won't break the bank... jumpsuits, or rompers...
Nordstrom's Rack... also is a good place to check out...some times you can get a real deal... if name brands are important...
I always, look for things like jewelry, belts, hair accessories, small handbags... when ever I am out shopping, I bought some really nice expensive dressy costume earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, on the clearance rack for like 1.99 up to 4.99... the cheapest original price was like 35.00 dollars...
Shoes are a bit harder.. but total doable...