You could even try your luck at buying a dress online. You can find good deals on sites like eBay, but if the dress doesn't fit, you are out of luck.
Look into whether your local school or church has a dress swap. Ask your older cousins, sisters, or friends. Since many fancy dresses are only worn once, they make great hand-me-downs.
By ThriftyFun
In addition, you can check your local garment district (L.A. has one downtown), thrift stores, consignment stores and the local newspapers - and stores selling quinceniera dresses (a 15th birthday party in some cultures).
By Lydia in CA
By Misty
By the Oracle
Freel free to post your ideas below.This page contains the following solutions.
To get a good deal when looking for your prom dress, go further afield than your local mall! Go to Resale shops where they have designer dresses for a lot less.
Shopping early and trying a variety of options such as thrift stores and on-line sites can help to find the best price on prom dresses. This is a page about finding an inexpensive plus size prom dress.
A inexpensive formal dress can be found by secondhand shopping, if you have time to look. This page is about finding a cheap prom dress.