I was driving to San Diego on Friday and heard on the radio that the average American family is spending a whopping $1000 to send their daughter to prom this year.

A whopping $1000!

I mean between the dress, the shoes, the bag, the jewelry, the tickets, the limo, the hair, the makeup, the photographer…Let’s face it. All these things add up.

And how things change.

When I went to prom in the early ’80s, I used Maybelline and Cover Girl instead of a professional makeup artist. I was chauffeured by my boyfriend in his dad’s car. My mom and neighbors took pictures. I didn’t even buy my own gown. It was gifted to me as the winner of the Pennsylvania Junior Miss pageant which I had entered in the hopes of winning scholarship money for college.

You’ll be glad to know that I survived the night even though I didn’t get to buy the prom dress of my dreams.

I actually had a really nice time. And I ended up being married to my date for over a decade.

But $1000!

As reported by Visa, even parents earning less than $20k a year were still planning to fork over $1200 to their sons and daughters for prom night!

One woman interviewed for the radio story said she’d work a second job flipping burgers if she had to but she couldn’t say no to all her daughter’s wishes for the big day.

Tet her daughter didn’t think twice about spending more than her mom could comfortably afford.

She was just “doing her part to help stimulate the economy.”

It seems to me that our teenage prom-goers should be able to take a reasonable prom budget set by mom and dad and stick to it. And mom and dad should feel perfectly justified in setting a prom budget that is financially comfortable for them.

If everything in their teen’s prom dream doesn’t fit into the family prom budget, then it’s time for their teen to decide what’s most important and either eliminate or get creative with the other stuff.

Sort of like we adults have to do as we budget our lives and our businesses every day.

Because if our teens can’t do this for their senior prom, then what have we really taught them in the last 12 years?

Of course, one way to stretch a prom budget is to select a vintage prom gown like today’s VPOD. This beauty’s price tag could be further mitigated by selling it back to a local boutique or an online vintage lover at eBay after the big night is over. Or it could be shortened to become a dress that could be worn again and again to future events.

That makes it an even more beautiful find for a Vintage Crusader!

Available at closetcaseVNTG.

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I’ve always been a huge Donna Karan fan and her philosophy to dress in only the highest quality items that make you utterly happy. Here is a woman who understands women and the many roles we play as mothers, friends, lovers, businesspeople and more, and who always manages to express that intimate understanding in her clothing designs.

Now, Donna Karan has taken on an even more important role with her passion project, The Urban Zen Foundation. It’s mission? “To raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of well-being, preserving culture and empowering children.”

As if I needed any more reasons to fall in love with Donna Karan and her designs! Like today’s VPOD, for instance.

This vintage 1990s cashmere evening gown is a rare piece designed by Maeve Carr for Donna Karan. First, the good news. It was previously owned and worn by Barbra Streisand! Now, the bad news. It has two small moth holes that will need to be mended.

Such a small price to pay for a Donna Karan-lovin’ vintage fashionista!

Available at Antique Dress. | Discovered at TheFind.com.

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Very often, your choice of jewelry is the piece de resistance of your outfit, the finishing touch that makes the whole look special and unique. I know I often find myself in front of the mirror with multiple selections of bracelets and necklaces in a pile nearby, trying one piece, then another, then two together, until finally, finally, I find the right balance.

Of course, if want to eliminate the trial and error method and cut right to the chase, you can always choose a garment that requires little jewelry at all. Something like today’s VPOD.

This vintage 1970s silk chiffon evening gown by Givenchy has a fantastic print and a braided silver and black halter that stands in for a statement necklace. Add one cocktail ring and you’re ready to roll.

It’s an elegant find for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Vintage Martini

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Vintage 1930s Draped and Beaded Evening Gown (redhousevintage) | Vintage Turquoise Print Maurice Dress (cork123) | Vintage 1960s Woven Wicker Handbag (citrinedream) | Vintage 1990s Versace Couture Cocktail Dress (betz6358) | Vintage Hattie Carnegie Rhinestone Floral Earrings (hawaiibeads) | Vintage Paco Rabanne Nautical Skirt and Halter Set (koko1954) | Vintage Edwardian Coat (those12days) | Vintage 1930s Satin Wedding Lounging Gown (mynoble) | Vintage 1940s Grey and Chartreuse Day Dress (cheapthrillsvintage) | Vintage Limited Edition Yves Saint Laurent Necklace (remark16) | Vintage 1980s Khaki Safari Jumpsuit (thriftwares) | Vintage 1950s Alfred Shaheen Sarong Sundress (venusdjangoanddot) | Vintage 1970s Ethnic Gauze and Sequin Tent Dress (lacedwithromance) | Vintage 1960s Jackie O Dress and Coat Set (booboopeedoo) | Vintage 1950s Mexican Dress (gambinica) | Vintage 1950s Lace Ruffled Prom Dress (tangleofthorns) | (Disclosure: Editorial selections are made by Zuburbia with no direct promotional consideration from Bay sellers. Zuburbia is, however, a member of the eBay Partner Network).

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Vintage 1980s Oscar de la Renta Dress (thriftwares) | Vintage 1950s Woven Straw Handbag (mycucina2) | Vintage Chanel Knit Cashmere Skirt (ferryvintage) | Vintage 1970s Christian Dior Interchangeable Necklace (momandpopcybershop) | Vintage Custom Delillo Coral and Malachite Necklace (robgallagh) | Vintage 1950s Wiggle Dress and Bolero Jacket (booboopeedoo) | Vintage 1950s Pink Bombshell Dress (catspajamasvintage) | Vintage 1930s Lace Evening Gown (arthousevintage) | Vintage 1950s Watercolor Dress (paris_1880) | Vintge 1950s Hobe Graduated Glass Bib Necklace (zenaide2004) | Vintage 1940s Chevron Dress (luketania) | Vintage 1980s Alice in Wonderland Blazer (astuddedrose) | Vintage 1930s Silk Nightgown (bourne2shop) | Vintage 1980s Grid Jacket (thrifted) | Vintage Gucci Floral Cotton Skirt (josies545) | Vintage 1960s Margaret Smith Handbag (lissa1010) | (Disclosure: Editorial selections are made by Zuburbia with no direct promotional consideration from Bay sellers. Zuburbia is, however, a member of the eBay Partner Network).

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