It’s the season of proms and graduation balls - a pricey time for the budget fashionista.

I empathise with you final year uni and sixth year students currently trawling the internet and trudging round the shops looking for that perfect ball dress.

I’ve just finished my honours degree and I'm currently on the hunt for 'The Dress' too. It's a daunting task. Pictures of this event will no doubt grace your parents' mantlepiece as well as everyone’s facebook albums, so it has to really suit you. And, of course, you do not want to be turning up in the same dress as someone else (the classic fashion faux pas).

Factor in the limited budget and all of a sudden you have a problem.

So, all we need to do is find an affordable dress, which no one else will have, that we look fabulous in... I’m up to the challenge! I’ve listed four different options, all under £200.

Try...Cocosa

Signing up to Cocosa allows you to view their high fashion flash sales, where designer clothes and accessories are sold off at a heavily discounted price. There usually tends to be a few sales each week that include evening dresses, so it’s definitely worth a try for your ball dress. This Catherine Deane dress was recently on sale for £155.

    

 

Try...local designers

Supporting local businesses is a great habit to get into. By trying independent designers in your city you can end up with a gorgeous designer dress, without the designer price tag. This dress from Obscure Couture is only £110, and you can skip the postage costs by picking it up from their Glasgow studio.

    

Try...vintage

There’s a reason vintage clothes have been around as long as they have - it’s because they tend to be good quality and well made. Fashion goes round in circles, so you often find a designer dress that looks like it could have come from a modern brand. This white fifties prom dress is from Circa Vintage (based in Glasgow and on Asos Marketplace) and is only £65.

    

Try...The OutNet

Net-a-Porter is the destination for prom dress window shopping. You'll find yourself lusting after expensive designer gowns and hoping that your future self will be able to buy them in ever colour. Luckily, their sister site, The OutNet, carries many of the same labels but at reduced prices. This J. Crew dress was £425 and has 65% off - making  it £148.75.

    

 

Let me know how your search goes...