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When you’re flush, selecting evening wear can be a breeze – just whip out the plastic and pay for what you like. When times are tough, budgeting for formal dresses and special evenings out becomes more difficult. You may not even be feeling very festive if you are worried about money. While you may not be able to buy anything you like, you can still look fabulous on a shoestring budget. Here’s how:

1) Shop in your own closet. Start pulling out clothes from your closet and try them on in new ways. Pay special attention to clothes that are classic – the little black dress, for example, or that classic cocktail dress. What sorts of accessories can you use to transform these dresses into something great? A shawl or long coat can make your dress into something new and can save you a bundle. Look at dresses you haven’t worn in a while and see whether there is something you can do with the dress to give it new life.

2) Have a clothes swap. Trade clothes with your friends for new-for-you clothes or use online sites to swap for clothes you like. It’s free and good for the environment.

3) Shop smart. Look for discounts, shop consignment or check out online bargains to save considerably off retail prices. You can easily buy a simple formal dress for under $100 and jazz it up into something special. It does mean extra work, though, so shop early.

If you need a last-minute Halloween costume ideas, pageant dresses are a great option. Readily available at little or no cost at second-hand stores, consignment shops and even your own closet, pageant dresses offer glamour, beautiful fabrics and colors and something a little different. Retro pageant dresses are especially great at this time of year, although just about any fancy dress with a sash and a tiara can offer some great costume ideas:

1) The straight-out glam queen. Rather than going scary, simply slip into your pageant dress and sash, add the tiara and do up your hair and makeup. In a few minutes you’re done and out the door to that party.

2) The tacky glam queen. Tacky is funny and fun, so do up a huge beehive, scary bad makeup and clashing shoes. Everyone loves the scary look without the gore, and tacky certainly delivers.

3) The cross-dressing glam queen. At Halloween, pageant dresses aren’t just for women. A guy in a pageant dress and heels often looks great and is a big hit at any costume party.

4) The un-living glam queen. Take a cue from 28 Days, Dawn of the Dead or any other zombie movie. Add some scary Halloween makeup to your pageant dress, add a few rips and some fake blood and get ready for a screaming good time at your party. This is a look best tried with old pageant dresses that you bought for a dime and don’t mind ruining.

5) The losing glam queen. Sometimes, winning isn’t as fun as the look of losing. Add some streaked mascara to your pageant dress, lose the crown, and get dresses with your dress and sash askew. A little attitude and voila – you’re a first runner up.