Back-to-school season is here, and that means it will soon be time for homecoming celebrations.
Typically occurring sometime in late September or early October, homecoming is an American tradition in which students and alumni are welcomed back to their high school or college for activities like football games, parades and -- most importantly for our purposes today -- semi-formal dances for the current student body.
While considered secondary in importance to the more formal spring celebration, prom, homecoming can be a great chance for young folks to express themselves through creative, elevated fashion.
However, this doesn't have to mean spending a ton of money. Many retailers offer affordable options, many with teens and young adults in mind, so they can choose a look that's both memorable and easy on the wallet.
Below, we've curated a list of dresses and accessories at every budget that make fantastic picks for homecoming and other semi-formal dressing this fall.
From Showpo's youthful, fresh gowns to Lulu's affordable dresses that work for women of all ages, keep reading to see our top picks!
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You can do a lot with a $100 budget for homecoming, especially with stores like Lulu's that offer trendy looks like a matching scarf and column dress -- very 1990s minimalism-coded -- for less. If you love sparkles, there's plenty to choose from including Cider's floral sequin number and a glittery skater dress from Windsor. And don't skip Abercrombie & Fitch's formal section! The dresses embody the brand's chic, preppy aesthetic at a price point you won't believe.
If you have a bit more budget to work with, browse these top picks from Mac Duggal -- who told "GMA" at a recent event that his company's goal has always been "affordable luxury" -- or Maeve, Anthropologie's in-house brand that produces fresh, classic looks that are still very much on-trend.
No look is complete without the perfect accessories, so check out some of our favorite options to add a touch of sparkle from Rocksbox, DSW and PacSun for a deal, or spend a little more at NDG Paris or Kendra Scott for an investment piece to be worn long after homecoming is over.
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