Formals are a super fun ritual at Sewanee.  Girls and guys get dressed up for a party that’s slightly fancier than the ones we usually have, which is great, except that it can be really hard to find a dress.  When these parties come at a time when the money you earned over the summer has just started to run out it becomes an even bigger problem.  Never fear, here are nine sites where you can find great deals on great dresses!
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1. Charlotte Russe
When I first discovered this place, I thought it was just a Forever 21 knockoff, but the more I see the more I realize the differences. Â The styles at Charlotte Russe tend to be just a little more classic, and less aggressively trendy. Â The dresses for this season are on point with styles ranging from daringly sexy to sweetly chic, like this black strapless number which you could wear again and again with fun accessories.
BONUS: Charlotte Russe has a halloween section for your spooky-cool needs.
2. Ruche
This one is probably the most expensive on this list, but they have some really great sale prices, and the dresses are stunning! Some of them are closer to something you’d wear to class, while others- like this sequin sheath– are perfect for a party! Another cool thing is that all of their models look like real people who eat food, so anyone can picture themselves wearing these dresses.
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3. White Plum
I wrote about this in an article last year, and it’s still one of my favorite sites.  While it doesn’t have huge numbers of dresses, the ones there are all awesome.  My personal favorite is this eye-catching red lace dress, you’ll be sure to be noticed!
4. Â ModCloth
This one can be a little hit or miss, with it’s fun vintage looks and sometimes quirky styles.  Another thing that’s hit or miss is the prices.  Thankfully the filters on the left side of the screen work really well, so you don’t even have to look at the dresses you can’t afford.  Check out this stunning dress while you’re there!
5. Lulu’s
If you’ve been reading this thinking that all these dresses are just a little too tame for you, then Lulu’s is the site for you.  The style on this site is sexier and more modern, but very trendy.  They use a lot of different fabrics and silluettes to make you into the gorgeous femme fatale you are.
BONUS: The accessories on here are pretty and reasonably priced, even if you don’t like the dresses, check out the jewelry!
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6. MANGO
This isn’t exclusively a women’s store, which is pretty cool.  Actually, everything about this site is cool.  The classic and modern influences together make this the go-to place for that effortlessly chic city style look. It’s probably not the place to shop if you love color though, as most of the dresses are gray and black, with some others mixed in.  I’m a sucker for a little black dress though, and my favorite is this cool sheath with a low back and fringe.
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7. Pink Ice
This store is a little bit hit or miss with some styles that look a little cheap or tacky but others that are beautiful.  The prices are super budget friendly though so it’s worth the time it takes to weed through.  I’ve never personally ordered from this site so I can’t vouch for the quality, but I can say that a lot of it looks really good, and will be good for a one time wear.  Make sure to check out this dress, which is only twelve dollars!
8. Â Garage
There is nothing over fifty dollars on this website, so you don’t have to worry too much while you’re shopping.  While there aren’t as many options here as are on the other sites I mentioned, the ones they have are really good.  My personal favorite is this simple burgundy dress which could be dressed up for a formal, or more casually for class.
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9. Rent The Runway
Some of you may have heard of this, but for the rest of you, I’m about to blow your minds.  Rent the Runway allows you to rent a dress for a week at a low cost.  These dresses are way higher quality (many are designer) than the others I’ve mentioned, but the caveat is that you can’t keep it, but you only really need the dress for pictures, right? The dress below sells for nearly five hundred dollars, but it could be yours for only thirty!
BONUS: On the side of the screen you can fill in your body type, age, favorite styles, and trends that you like so that you can find the perfect dress for you. Â