You can go to check popfas.com and elegantdress.net .there are have a lot of casual or formal dress .And the price are cheap .
Walmart has plenty of dresses casual and dressy for under 30$ She could also try Target &Children's Place. You could also try Goodwill. I found plenty of gorgeous formal and non formal dresses for really good prices. I even bought my prom dress from there and got complements on it. There are many many places that have formal and non formal wear for under 30$.
I would go to JcPenney's, TJ Maxx, or Justice if there is one near you... Penney's has lots of cute dresses, but some of them are a little overly formal and some are just too expensive... TJ Maxx has lots of dresses but they are always missing the size you're looking for ;) and also, their dresses can be pretty cheesy... Like sequins and stuff... Justice is not overly formal but they have lots of cute dresses! But they are a little on the expensive side... Like I'm talking $30 for a t-shirt. Hope I helped ya'! :*
Do you have a Burlington Coat Factory near where you live? They have good discounts. Other that that I would try clearance sales at the mall. Or this website has some great things too. sammydress.com
For under $30, Really only a few places come to mind: Ross or TJ maxx.