The economy has seen better days, as have the dress racks at department stores from coast to coast. While jobs are bleak, sales are not so you will be hard-pressed not to find a prom dress for a steal. When choosing a cheap-and-chic prom dress, there are certain things to look for (simple silhouettes, deep colors) and definite things do avoid (excessive frills, pastel shades).

Although America Ferrera's Golden Globe dress most likely cost a fortune, the style is accessible for a variety of price points. The bubble hem is trendy, yet timeless. The one-shoulder makes a statement, but is easy to pull off. And last but certainly not least, the steely gray is as elegant as black — but infinitely more striking.

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Girls from the UK have a sense of style so effortless and seemingly innate, it's as if they roll out of bed, grab the first dress they lay eyes on, and look instantly incredible. Emma Watson is a perfect example. She rose to fame through Harry Potter, but it is her red carpet style that has kept her on the radar.

Read more about the best dresses of Emma and other It Brits like Peaches Geldof, Lily Allen, and Alexa Chung.

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Miley Cyrus and a stream of other young starlets have been looking divine in their asymmetrical dresses. Forget strapless; this trendy silhouette is what you want to wear. Lucky for you, dresses are popping up on sale racks in boutiques and e-shops galore. Snap this little number, designed by Erotokritos, up for nearly half the price.

The best part? It has all of the sass of an asymmetrical silhouette with the security of two shoulder straps. Sweet!

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It can be said that having a significant other in high school makes one thing easier; it takes the guess work out of finding a date for a school dance. At the same time, it kind of takes the fun out of it, too. If you need to find someone for an upcoming event, take a step back and access your options. We'll show you that they are much more plentiful that you might imagine.