Everyone's talking about wearing the latest and greatest to styles to prom, but the conversation is leaving you cold. Maybe you can't afford one of those designer gowns that probably cost about as much as your parents' mortgage payment. Or maybe you just want to stand out from the crowd. If this describes your attitude, maybe it's time to find a vintage prom dress from decades past.

Vintage Prom Dress – Truly a Great Buy?

Making the decision to purchase a vintage prom dress doesn't necessarily mean you'll get off cheaply. Depending on the condition of the dress you purchase and how rare it is, you'll probably shell out a pretty penny for the privilege of wearing the retro look.

But aside from the hard cash reality, finding the dress that suits your looks and personality can be lots of fun. You can start your search online, looking for boutiques and consignment shops that are likely to sell a vintage prom dress. Places such as Goodwill and Value Village are great places to look, as sometimes they have vintage clothes and prom dresses available at bargain basement prices. You might even ask your mother if she still has her old prom dress. She'd probably be delighted to see you wear it.

Prepare to Stand Out From the Crowd with Your Vintage Prom Dress

A vintage prom dress probably isn't the right choice if you're a shrinking violet. It's likely to get you noticed just as much--if not more--than the girls who bought the new designer gowns. By definition, a vintage prom dress looks different from what everyone else is wearing. If you really want to raise a few eyebrows, go all out and do your hair and makeup to match the era your gown represents. Are you a 1920's flapper, a 1940's war bride, or a 1960's flower child? Vintage prom dresses are a fun, funky way to make a statement about your favorite bygone era.

Girls who choose to go with the vintage prom dress often have an advantage over their more traditional friends in that they have many more types of dresses and styles to choose from than those who are buying a current design.

Another fun way to put vintage prom dresses to use is to convince a few of your gal pals (and/or guy pals) to find clothes from the same era. You can have your own 50's bash right in the middle of a modern day prom.

When you look back on your prom, you'll want to have memories you can treasure. Some girls will always remember having the newest or most expensive dress. You can remember the fun of traveling back in time by going to your prom in a vintage prom dress.