how much should you pay for a prom dress? opinions please?

I spent way to much money on my prom dress when I was in high school. If I had it to do over I never would have spent that much on a dress since that was eight years ago and I have never worn it again. A few of my friends went to a few nice prom and wedding dress resale shop and found some great dresses and they paid maybe a fourth of what I did but no one ever would have known as they all looked just as good. I would look around your hometown and I am sure that you will find the perfect dress in your price range.

I graduated in 2001 and spent $200 on my dress. All my accessories put together were probably less than $50. Since grad my dress has been worn by me to a few parties, my sister to her boyfriend's grad and my sister in law to her boyfriend's. I definitely feel like I got my money's worth!

I think one of the best pieces of advice I can give is to look at dresses that aren't labelled PROM, especially in the spring. Look at party dresses, cocktail dresses etc. because they will be cheaper. Mine came from Sears, it is black, simple, elegant and versatile. And if you're able to get creative with hair, makeup and accessories then they can be the focus. Proms have gotten ridiculously out of hand and they don't have to be.

Is renting an option? That would help save money and besides, we get to use the prom dress just once.