Shopping help please! -- where can I get an inexpensive formal gown in NYC?

[quiet.american]

And by "inexpensive," I really mean cheap! -- Max budget: $100.00.

Doesn't have to be fancy -- what I need is essentially a long dress that would fit in at a night at the opera.

If you have any ideas, thanks!

[Chan790]

1. I'd guess your best bet is consignment or something like Goodwill. n/m

[quiet.american]

2. Thanks much, Chan. Guess I'm still hoping to discover a tip where I could get something new.

[Chan790]

3. I have no specific ideas then...

I live far enough outside the city that I don't do much shopping there. What little I do tends to be for dress shirts and ties.

As a chain, H&M tends to be both cheap and very nice. I have no idea if there are any in NYC.

[quiet.american]

5. Thanks again -- there is one near me -- I think I'll check it out. nt

[galledgoblin]

10. beat me to it

don't be afraid to check out a second-hand shop, a lot of people wear formal gowns once, and then donate them.
some shops specialize in second-hand formal wear, I'm sure several such shops could be found in NYC.

[quiet.american]

11. You make a persuasive case for second-hand -- thanks, galled. nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. For discounted clothes I used to go to Strawberry. Don't be afraid

to go into a store like Saks Fifth either. When they have clearances, the prices take deep, deep discounts. I used to be able to buy clothes with 75% off.

[quiet.american]

6. Really? You nailed it - I'm usually "afraid" of going the Saks route.

I'll check that out, too!

I used to love Strawberry's and do almost all my shopping there -- but now that a lot of their stores have become "Strawberry Jam" --
my size 12, post-40's body can't seem to fit into half the stuff I used to work as a size 6 thirty-something. :)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

7. I haven't lived in the city for years but I worked near the Strawberry's by Grand Central

and practically lived there! I'm sure my post 50's body wouldn't find anything at Strawberry's now too. Maybe Saks?

(Before working near Grand Central I worked across from Saks. I didn't live there though. I had the park and great bookstores)

Good luck and have fun!!!!

[quiet.american]

8. Many thanks, Ommm! :) nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

9. My pleasure!

[yellowdogintexas]

12. go down to Macy's and check out the black skirts. They come in every length

imaginable and the Charter Club brand is always reasonably priced. Not to mention there may be some on sale.

Then find a pretty satiny or chiffony looking blouse in either white, cream, red or deep royal blue or deep emerald green...or what ever color floats your boat. Everything goes with black it just has to be a dressy STYLE. The top could be an easy grab at a resale shop too, a beaded shell, or something with a beaded neckline. I have a little black cotton sweater with cap sleeves that has little teeny pearls in the neckline and around the bottom. If I put it on with a black skirt or pants and the right jewelry it looks very very dressy. I also have a red one with beaded treatment on the neckline that is my standard Christmas blouse.

You now have a blouse that will dress up any suit and a long skirt that will take you anywhere. And it is easier to get a good fit going the two piece route. Plus they both will most likely be washable.

Have fun, good luck and let us know what you find.

and for what it is worth, a simple black sheath or suit (not necessarily long) with a dressy blouse will work for the Opera too.

[quiet.american]

15. Fantastic tips, thanks so much! nt

[yellowdogintexas]

19. I am a scrounge shopper from way back. Now that Macy's is in our town

I understand the great love you can develop for it.

But seriously anyone's black skirt will do, I just know you can pretty much depend on Macy's to have them.

[Shakespeare]

13. If I recall, there are some shops in the garment district that might have that.

I was thilled to discover the same thing when I moved to LA.

[quiet.american]

16. Cheers, and sincere thanks. nt

[reyd reid reed]

14. Ross.

We had to buy (at the last minute, of course -- not to mention unbudgeted) a black, floor-length formal for Girly-poo. Ross had a ton of stuff, prices that I saw ranged from 19.99-29.99.

[quiet.american]

18. Thanks -- I hadn't heard of Ross before this. nt

[yellowdogintexas]

20. oh yeah Ross is great, but iffy from week to week as to what will be in stock,

as is T J Maxx. If you are over 55 you get extra discount on Tuesdays too.

[quiet.american]

22. I guess it may be a mixed relief that I'm not old enough for the discount yet. :) nt

[Drum]

17. Daffy's? Century21?

I buy suits, so can't be real gown-help, but those places have some deals, and pretty varied selections of everything, clothes- and shoe-wise. Some lowww prices sometimes too.

Good luck shopping, and hope your evening is nice.

:)

[quiet.american]

21. Thank you so much -- I had forgotten about Century 21, haven't been there in so long. nt

[triguy46]

23. Ebay. You can buy 4 or 5 for under 100, throw out the ones that don't work.

[quiet.american]

24. Thanks - I would, but I'm down to the wire on this one, though.

I've got until Tuesday to get this done. :)