Economical bridesmaids dresses

I'm trying to find some hot, fun, funky dresses for my super stylish ladies, but everything I'm finding is waaaaaaaaaay out of what I think is an appropriate price range! I've been in a few weddings where we just found material and got dresses made, but that can be a hit or miss depending on the dress-maker. I also don't want the girls spending tons of money on something that they may never wear again. How much do you think is too much to ask your girls to spend on dresses? And have you ever been in a wedding that you actually wore the dress again?