This year's prom season is full of color, sparkle and shine for girls and even boys.

And there are many ways to look great for the year's biggest social and fashion event without going broke in the process.

The dress is the centerpiece of all prom fashion planning. Many girls begin scoping out possibilities as early as January, and how their dates attire themselves depends in large part upon the dress decision.

Most girls want to make one key statement when they arrive at prom, according to Maria Sarra.

"Look at me -- I'm fabulous!" laughed Ms. Sarra, social and bridal buyer for Camille La Vie, a New Jersey-based chain that offers stylish prom dresses at reasonable prices.

This season, there are many more ways for girls to look fab than at any time in recent years. The options are staggering, with tens of thousands of red-carpet-inspired styles available in stores and online.

Short cocktail-style dresses are chic alternatives to long gowns. Many dresses feature creative side cutouts or daring bare backs while silhouettes range from curve-caressing and bias cut to pouffy skirts and mermaid bottoms.

Black-and-white combinations are surprisingly dramatic, the shine of jewels and metallic hues lend goddess glamour, dark jewel tones evoke rich elegance and bold colors rule in attention-grabbing shades of turquoise, chartreuse, buttercup and fuchsia.

Prints are all over the place: animal, reptile, abstract, floral and especially polka dots.

"Polka dots are very big," observed Ellen Calig, manager of Lintons at The Waterfront. "Girls are lovin' the dots. Glitz is still in, vintage is still in, and color, color, color."

For girls and parents who can't afford to or don't want to shell out a mortgage payment for a gown and accessories, it's not hard to find great looks for less. Many dresses are less than $100 at department stores such as Kohl's and JCPenney and at Internet sites such as davidsprom.com, overstock.com and eDressMe. com -- three of the few that list prices without forcing you to contact a store for that information.

Don't forget about bargains at consignment shops and discount retailers such as Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.

And there are some contests that give away free gowns. Seventeen.com has been awarding a free dress every week since Dec. 25 and will do so until April 22.

The dress style changes and value increases each week, ending with a long red halter dress by Xcite Prom, worth $400.

There's also a chance to win a prom dress and a trip to New York for a "Glamour Girl" photo shoot with Nigel Barker of "America's Next Top Model" through davidsprom.com. You must be at least 14 and the deadline is midnight Saturday. (A senior from Cranberry named Victoria is on the site as an early semifinalist.)

Guys can save money on their looks, too.

Tux-like suits and suit-like tuxes are hot again this season. Some fellows buy a suit they like, dress it up for prom and then wear it repeatedly in the future to stretch their dollar.

Suits are an especially nice look to complement a short dress.

Most boys, however, will rent. Some stores offer a "prom special" basic look with a few options for less than $100. Add-ons can ratchet up the price.

But shop around because more stores are finding creative ways to compete for customers. Top Hat Tuxedo in Fox Chapel, for example, will give guys who rent "buddy certificates" for friends.

He'll get a $10 credit toward his own rental for each referral who rents a tux from the store. That's in addition to a prom discount of $20 off any suit rental.

Guys will be wearing pops of bright color to complement their dates' dresses again this season, predicted Brad Fabian, the store's owner.

But they don't necessarily have to match her coral or turquoise with a vest or cummerbund.

Many popular colors are available in blingy costume jewelry, hat bands and even tinted sunglasses.

Long coats and silky microfiber shirts without pleats or ruffles are popular looks among young men who want to dress up, Mr. Fabian said, but "don't want to look like their fathers."