Homecoming Dresses 2016: 5 Places To Buy Cheap Semiformal Gowns For The Dance

Teenagers across the United States will be pairing up and buying tickets this month to homecoming, a dance that in many schools is like a miniature prom aimed at underclassmen. It's exciting, but with corsages, limousines, hair and makeup, dinner and more, it can also be expensive.

Luckily, you don't have to spend a lot on what you wear. If you're planning to don a dress for the special night, read on for five places to score a gown without breaking the bank.

Department stores are standard places to shop for homecoming dresses, but you can still find good deals. On the Nordstrom website, there's an entire category for "Dresses Under $100," including this $60 floor-length navy maxi dress with a side split. JC Penney will do you one better — the store has a "Homecoming Favorites Under $50" section with options like this deep garnet sleeveless party dress that cuts off above your knees on sale for $49.99.

Avoid the crowds at the mall and check out retailers like Forever 21, which may not have sections designated solely for homecoming dresses but gorgeous items nonetheless. You can get this nude floral overlay dress for $24.90 or this eyelash lace cami dress for $14.

For those not set on buying a dress to own, Rent the Runway is a great way to borrow fashionable pieces at low prices. You could wear this $1,490 teal Hervé Léger dress for $30 or this $300 Slate and Willow getup for $50.

Online marketplaces like eBay are guaranteed to have something you can wear for cheap. This pale pink cocktail dress is $11.99, and this peacock-patterned black minidress starts at $19.99. eBay recommends customers contact dress sellers before buying and ask how old the dress is, how often it's been worn and what the measurements are.

Let's dance!