How to Save Money and Look Great at the Military Ball

Military balls are fun nights out with your spouse. Unfortunately, between dresses, shoes and accessories, one night of fun can be costly. But it doesn’t have to be.

Before hitting the department stores and preparing to max out your credit cards, try the following tips. By taking advantage of shopping opportunities on base, military discounts off base and friends who wear the same size as you, it’s possible to show up at the military ball looking great without going broke.

On-Base Options

Many military bases have thrift shops, most of which are operated by the base spouses' organization or the services' relief society (like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society), and profits support charitable causes like scholarships and youth activities. You never know what you can find at a thrift shop, so check it out and see what you can come up with.

Some bases hold special events that give spouses of active-duty service members an opportunity to choose a formal ball gown for free, and some bases might even have a shop dedicated to dress rentals. Check with your local base to see if they offer a similar event.

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Military Discounts Off Base

Can't find anything on the base near you? Then grab your military ID and start shopping with military discounts.

Banana Republic has a great selection of dresses, and they offer a military discount in store.

Of course you’ll need shoes to match your dress. Rack Room Shoes offers a military discount every Tuesday in-store. J.Crew offers a military discount online and in-store, and Steve Madden offers a military discount online.

Don't forget you'll need accessories to complete your look. Kohl's and Old Navy stores offer a military discount.

If you're wandering around a mall, make sure you ask about a military discount at every store you hit because many offer discounts that may or may not be advertised. For example, many stores in the Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach, Virginia offer military discounts.

Other Tips

Would you prefer to rent a dress instead of dishing out the dough for something you'll probably only wear once? Check out Rent the Runway.

How does it work? You can choose between a one-time rental or a monthly clothing subscription (you can pause or cancel at any time). Choose the items you'd like, and after they arrive, keep them as long as you want. You can wear a dress to the ball, and then return it. Just send everything back without even so much as dry cleaning. They may not offer a military discount, but it’s a great alternative to buying a new dress.

And if all else fails, dig through your friends' closets. If you wear the same size and have similar tastes in fashion, you won't pay a dime to swap dresses for a night. You might even be able to find a group on base or a Facebook page dedicated to dress swapping, so start asking around.

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