I started dancing about 2 1/2 years ago and added private lessons about 8 months ago. I'm doing my first comp, not a big event, in early June. I'd LOVE to buy a fabulous dress, but there's no way I can afford it. Previously I did a showcase and got very lucky with finding a beautiful dress on sale at a department store for Rumba. For my comp I'll be doing Freestyle Fox Trot, Waltz and Tango. Does anyone have advice on finding a dress for under $150 US?

I've been searching online and either the prices are too high, the sizes aren't right (I need a large, I'm 5' 8") or the style isn't flattering for me. I'd prefer tea-length and elegant with bling, rather than elaborate. Shorter is OK too. I'm 60, but gave good genes, so look younger, but I want to dress appropriately for my age. Am I dreaming? Yes, I looked at the ads here, but they're all tiny sizes and way over my budget.

Have you looked on e-bay? I have bought all my dresses from that site. Get one custom made for a sure fit. The ones I buy are usually around the $300 US price but I only wear them a couple of times, then sell them for almost as much as I bought them. Another option is to rent one. I presume you are dancing pro-am. You need a proper comp dress. Store dresses don't look right and can affect your scores.

And I thought the dancing would be the hard part! I guess I was dreaming when I thought I could find something. I just can't spend that kind of money. I understand that not having a traditional costume can work against me, but it's not that type of competition. I'd call it an enhanced show-case. My instructors would like me to have the best experience I can, and yes, that kind of dress would enhance it, but after spending an hour on eBay, I struck out. If I decide to do this, I'll have to take my chances that the critique from the judges will be regarding my dance skill and not the dress.

I did find a lovely cocktail type lace dress with a soft, drapey fabric that's flattering and moves well. We'll bling it up and it will just have to do. I'll keep looking and I may still get lucky. Or I just don't do it, which I think would be the bigger shame.

As you say, the most important thing is to dance and have fun. I would not pass up the showcase for lack of costume. Keep looking, you could call a couple of studios and see if anyone has a dress for sale. We always have a few dresses to sell but we don't advertise it. If you find one you like and it is too expensive, ask if you can borrow/rent it for a night.

Lady, thanks for taking my response in the correct vein. I was replying to you, but also giving myself a pep talk! I seriously thought I'd have to reconsider this, but then I said, nope, I won't let this hold me back. I hadn't thought of studios, but unfortunately I live in an area that doesn't have any. I did also post in a FB group I'm part of, but didn't get any good leads.

Sara, I checked out the website. Yes, the prices are more reasonable, but more than I want. If I knew I'd be competing in the future, I'd consider it, but it's not likely.

I have lovely modest, soft yellow smooth gown that would be ankle length on you. It has a small amount of Swarovski stones across the waist. It's a used dress that is in wonderful condition. I buy & sell ballroom dresses. This one was sent to the store before I got photos of it. If you are interested I would be happy to pick it up and do a photo shoot on in.

I can re-post my e-mail for anyone needing a dress.

Ballroom that is so incredibly sweet! I'll send you an email right now. So it doesn't end up in your spam, I'll give you part of it. Thomas_pai etc. (Did you want to delete your email now that I have it, or are you not concerned about spam etc.) Some people see that and don't know it's from me. I'm a US history fan, hence the name.

I don't think you can find one for $150 but I found this really nice seller on ebay (link below) who sells really nice standard gowns at a budget :)

http://www.ebay.com/usr/venus.factory

I just did my first showcase after dancing for 8 months found a beautiful dress for $60 on sale at Lord and Taylor's! It was originally well over $300.

I do have a back-up, but one of the members here has been a wonderful and found a dress that may work. Good for you finding something, at a novice level we can get away with some other styles, but I'd love to have a true ballroom dress. What style was yours? Short or long? I'll be doing fox trot, waltz and tango so would like floor length.