I think the kids at our fifth grade promotion ceremony wore fairly casual dresses. Mine borrowed a dress from a friend that was. Just a basic tiered sundress because the night before she suddenly decided she hated everything she owned. It’s a “fun” age.
I agree with target, old navy. Macy’s, kohls, Zara as possibilities. Girls that age are so random it’s hard to predict!

Throwing this out there in case you are nearby:

Belk. Typically more Southern VA.

Blossoms and buds in Arlington has really nice dresses at thrifting prices

Anonymous wrote:Marshalls and TJ Maxx

This! And Ross! Good dresses and really good prices

I’m the Old Navy poster from page 1. Both dresses were very nice and my daughter picked them out so she thought they were stylish. Both were under $15 on sale. I don’t like spending a lot for outfits that will be worn one time.

Don’t mess around with women’s for a 10 year old. The price will be higher and generally will be cut for someone with more of a bust and hips. Go to Nordstrom rack, Nordstrom, Macy’s. Not sure where you are but the pentagon city area might be a good bet bc of Nordstrom and Nordstrom rack. My daughter’s favorite is Zara but it’s hit or miss but sometimes the one at pentagon city has good girl dresses. My daughter is 11 and tall and slim and Zara is cut well for that. Good luck

Macy's and Kohl's.

Ross Dress for Less
Burlington Coat Factory
Goodwill (many name brand items in great condition)

Anonymous wrote:Here are some ideas for what Nordstrom has. Don’t bother paying full price - look for the ones on sale (they have more sale items on racks in the store often):

https://www.nordstrom.com/sr/juniors-dresses

None of these look appropriate for a 5th grade promotion ceremony. These look like cocktail hour dresses.

OP - old navy and target and even Walmart have some nice dresses that are very reasonably priced. Good luck finding a dress that makes your daughter feel special!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this mom is asking for stores that are slightly nicer than Target? It sounds like she saved for awhile for a nicer dress but OP, if you give us your price range we can help you better.

I've literally found $100+ reduced to $15 at Macy's - that takes luck and time - but that's where I'd start. BTW SES isn't that relevant here - I don't like spending money on things the kid is going to wear once or twice.

Agree with this. In college, I used to go thrifting for fun. My son's recent prom date had a beautiful and unusual dress that she admitted to thrifting when I asked. Very impressed with her style. If you are feeling budget-constrained, think about the possibilities of teaching your daughter how to be ecologically-friendly and financially prudent. I looked at Thredup not long ago and the prices looked like it was possible to take some risks there, too.

Did you not read OPs post?? She always thrifts and wants to splurge here. She doesn’t need a schoolmarm-ish lecture about how to teach her daughter to be “ecologically friendly and financially prudent.”

Another vote for Kohls. I found a few casual summer dresses for myself that are around $50 and then an extra $10 off at checkout.

Kohl's. The formal dresses are on sale right now. $20+ range. But, just an FYI, 5th and 8th grade promotion doesn't require formal attire. A sundress/floral print is mainly what the girls are wearing across the country. Also, try Zara.

Order from shein

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this mom is asking for stores that are slightly nicer than Target? It sounds like she saved for awhile for a nicer dress but OP, if you give us your price range we can help you better.

I've literally found $100+ reduced to $15 at Macy's - that takes luck and time - but that's where I'd start. BTW SES isn't that relevant here - I don't like spending money on things the kid is going to wear once or twice.

Agree with this. In college, I used to go thrifting for fun. My son's recent prom date had a beautiful and unusual dress that she admitted to thrifting when I asked. Very impressed with her style. If you are feeling budget-constrained, think about the possibilities of teaching your daughter how to be ecologically-friendly and financially prudent. I looked at Thredup not long ago and the prices looked like it was possible to take some risks there, too.