Cinderella stories aside, few women could justify spending $800 for a one-night stand with even the most enchanting evening dress.

But $150?

For Antoinette Arnold, 27, of Chicago's Lincoln Park, that was doable.

And done, thanks to her retail fairy godmother.

At Borrow a Dress Couture (3221 N. Sheffield Ave. in Chicago, shopbadc.com), Arnold paid $150 to rent a royal purple Marchesa ruffled bubble dress, retail price of about $800, to wear to the recent Macy's Glamorama bash.

The store and Web site carry other high-end dresses from Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Dolce & Gabbana and others, in sizes 0 to 18 as well as maternity. Evening bags also are available. Outerwear will be introduced this fall. Rental prices start at $35.

With partner Teonna Ingram, co-owner Bree Lara launched BADC because "my partner and I needed a store like this for ourselves!" she said.

Women get bored wearing the same black dress to every event that calls for glamorous attire, but a more memorable color means it can't be trotted out every time ("There goes Antoinette in her purple dress again").

That's where borrowing comes in. Rental prices are about a quarter of the retail price, for a lease period of three days (plus $10 per additional day). The borrower returns the dress as is, and Borrow a Dress Couture takes care of the cleaning. Alterations are prohibited.

If you fall in love with a dress, you can buy it outright — as long as someone else hasn't reserved it — to wear happily ever after.