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    37 Beautiful Formal Dresses You Can Actually Afford

    Gorgeous gowns and cocktail numbers that cost less than $100. PRAISE BE! If you still need a prom dress, this is the post for you.

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    1. An off-shoulder lace dress with a soft lining AKA the lace won't feel itchy or scratchy on your skin. Comfort over everything, am I right?

    2. A pleated midi dress sure to make its way into your closet, even if it has to beg and pleat for a spot.

    3. An elegant mermaid-style dress that is *obviously* something Ariel would wear. You know, after the whole contract with Ursula/marrying Prince Eric thing.

    4. A v-neck trumpet gown to solve all bride-to-be woes. Still looking for a dress for your bridesmaids? Well DING DING DING because this one is a winner.

    5. A halter fishtail bandage dress you won't need to be wary of buying. It does not smell fishy at all, I PROMISE.

    6. A midi dress with HIDDEN 👏 POCKETS 👏. Go ahead, don't be shy. I would appreciate the round of applause.

    7. A floral lace evening dress that looks like it was plucked (guitar-string style) from the racks of the COOLEST vintage shop in existence.

    8. A butterfly print fit-to-flare dress you may want to be careful with. It's been known to spread its wings and fly away...

    9. A halter dress with lace overlay that looks SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than it actually is.

    10. A lavender-colored ruffle dress perfect for any wedding, bridal shower, graduation party, baby shower, first birthday party, second birthday party, etc.

    11. An off-the-shoulder dress complete with a thigh-high slit. This is sure to make you look at your reflection and say, "YOWZA".

    12. A sleek sheath dress that proves that it is, in fact, easy being green. *proceeds to sip tea*

    13. A fringed dress stolen directly from Zelda Fitzgerald's closet. This gorgeous number has 🎶 "SING, SING, SING" 🎶 written all over it.

    14. A floral wrap dress so gorgeous, your spring allergies won't even bother you. Because spring = nice weather = wearing this dress.

    15. A retro-inspired dress guaranteed to look amazing on every~body~. You look 😍.

    16. A scuba maxi dress guaranteed to replace the LBB currently residing in your closet. So move over, old little black dress — there's a new sheriff in town.

    17. A one-shoulder dress perfect for any heel-wearing occasion. Weddings? Check. Bridal showers? Check. Fancy dinners? Check check check.

    18. A sheath dress that resembles something you could wear in an old-fashioned speakeasy. Sipping a gin and tonic, accessorizing with pearls...

    19. An a-line dress that will make you grab your jeans and say, "SAYONARA, YOU'VE BEEN REPLACED WITH SOMETHING MORE BEAUTIFUL!"

    20. A halter dress in a gorgeous rose color that — don't worry — is free of thorns. Take that, Poison.

    21. An off-the-shoulder dress made with a no-slip silicone bodice. Translation? You won't be pulling this little number up all night. IT WILL ACTUALLY STAY PUT.

    22. A knee-length dress sure to fit your curves like a glove. A super trendy, super sophisticated glove.

    23. A strapless number for that fancy event that you (unfortunately) already sent in your RSVP for.

    24. A cowl neck silk dress because you should always be prepared. You never know when you're going to walk the red carpet, am I right?

    25. A floral chiffon dress available in one-shoulder, v-neck, and strapless silhouettes. What a pity you'll have to choose just one...

    26. A maxi dress (featuring gorgeous embellishments) worthy of all the praise that I'm about to give it. (It's talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, etc.)

    27. A sheer-sleeved tulle dress known to inspire impromptu twirling. Get your Boomerang app ready, folks.

    28. A Grecian-style dress so gorgeous, it almost won't bother you that it doesn't come with a one-way ticket to Greece...*

    29. A bardot bodycon dress available in five super versatile colors. Should you stock up and keep 'em all in your closet? YES, YOU SHOULD.

    30. A vintage-inspired lace dress that will have you crashing weddings every so often. You know, so you can wear it again and again and again.

    31. A pencil midi dress with a misleading name. This will make you the No. 1 best dressed person at the party, NOT No. 2.

    32. A maxi dress that will make you want to wear flowers in your hair and walk through a forest. Obviously.

    33. A flutter-sleeved chiffon gown rumored to be the inspiration behind Nicholas Sparks' new novel. Let's just call it what it is: ROMANTIC.

    34. A cocktail dress with for a unique, trendy look that resembles something Kendall Jenner would rock on the runway.

    35. A lace midi dress you've quickly fallen in love with. Just go ahead and submit order already, will ya?

    36. A cocktail dress with a namesake that represents the best part of ANY fancy event: the COCKTAIL hour. Now someone direct me to the calamari and shrimp, please.

    37. A sleeveless wrap dress sure to become a staple in your wardrobe. And not the office supply kind, if you know what I mean.

    You, realizing that all of these gorgeous numbers are actually affordable:

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