Dressing up for the prom often demands as much attention as dressing up for a wedding. Most dream of leaving a life-long impression on friends, so naturally, finding that ideal prom dress may involve days, even months of planning . Some lucky shoppers find that perfect dress at a retail outlet. Getting the best prom dress does not necessarily mean spending a lot of money. You can get that perfect dress and achieve the look you covet with a little patience and a lot of shopping around. A decent prom dress can cost anywhere between $75 and $400 or even higher-and that doesn't include accessories.