The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Four Gingham Dresses: Would You Wear One?




If you loved Michael Kors' take on polka-dots for spring 2009, chances are you'll fall head over heels for his take on gingham, too. He used this classic check print on belted dresses with full skirts that were both playful and chic, which inspired me to seek out some affordable gingham frocks for myself. I honestly love all four choices (#3 has an amazing deep v-back detail, and #4 reminds me of L.A.M.B.), but #2 has my heart aflutter (which is not surprising, seeing as how it's from the new Isaac Mizrahi for Liz Claiborne collection). Which of these four frocks would make your checklist?

[1] Buffalo Plaid Sundress, Wet Seal, $23.50
[2] Gingham Belted Taffeta Dress, LizClaiborne.com, $189
[3] Plastic Island "Luncheon" Gingham Dress, Dillard's, $169.
[4] Split Neck-Side Tab Dress (also available in blue/white), Wet Seal, $24.50



Comments
Damn it! Why do I always like the expensive one? That blows my mind that I like a Liz Claiborne item... what does that say?? :-)
~a
#1 Amanda Heironimus (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 12:44 (Reply)
It means you know quality! I too like this one, I think the trick #6 is too add modern accents that don't make it feel picnicky like bright accents!
#1.1 Liz on 2009-04-15 15:20 (Reply)
I do the same thing! My husband is always giving me a hard time about it. If I have to choose something in a "price-blind" test, I almost always choose the most expensive, but you can see the difference in the lines, structure, movement, and design in this dress, even in the picture. If only ...!
#1.2 Katie on 2009-04-15 19:18 (Reply)
i would wear ALL of these. so cute and feminine.
#2 Cupcakes and Cashmere (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 12:45 (Reply)
Man, me too. I ADORE them all!
#3 Sal (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 13:44 (Reply)
I love gingham! I really like the Liz Claiborne dress.
#4 janelle (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 13:50 (Reply)
yes i would totally rock gingham! i love it!!! i like the #1! i will have to go find it now at wet seal! great find!
#5 anh (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 13:51 (Reply)
Sorry I can't! I feel like I'm wearing a picnic table cloth.
#6 (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 14:22 (Reply)
I love them all, too. It's a fun print. I got a really cute one recently from mandee.com.
#7 Terri Walton on 2009-04-15 15:27 (Reply)
um, LOVE the liz claiborne. i swoon.

i just got a retro looking wrap number from f21 that will do the trick nicely without the expense, thankfully. less than $30 - helloooo come to momma.
#8 hanna (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 15:32 (Reply)
love number 2 and 3 ..2 is so cute
#9 Dina on 2009-04-15 15:55 (Reply)
No matter what designer label it is, it still looks like a tablecloth.
#10 bingkee (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 16:08 (Reply)
OMG. Liz Claiborne? Really? When I saw this dress I had to pinch myself. I heard that Isaac Mizrahi was designing for Liz but I haven't had a chance to see the new collection. I just visited the website, and everything looks AMAZING. For Mizrahi the pricing isn't too bad either. I am especially feeling the Colormath application on the site. I'm telling you there are some nice finds on here!!! LizClaiborne.com
#11 CityDweller88 on 2009-04-15 16:15 (Reply)
Agree of all of them the Mizrahi dress is the best. Clairborne's collection is getting a much needed punch with Isaac Mizrahi designer for them. Maybe now Clairborne will stop with all the golf clothes!
#12 Barbara (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 19:24 (Reply)
They are all retro-adorable. Of course my fav is the Kors one with the full skirt, but the Claiborne one is more realistic (-: ...there is a similar one in black and white seersucker...LOVE!
#13 Jenava (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 21:56 (Reply)
I love gingham! Love love love. I'd wear #2 and #3 if I could (don't know how #3 would work with my big bust, though). I just adore all things gingham!
#14 Anusha (Homepage) on 2009-04-15 23:06 (Reply)
I'm so excited gingham is coming in full force for this season! I have the most adorable skirt i actually got a year ago on clearance. Can;'t wait to wear it this summer!
#15 Karissa on 2009-04-16 09:17 (Reply)
I really only do full skirts these days, so I'm in love with #2, but it's too pricey for me because I'm cheap, haha :-)
#16 Sandra on 2009-04-16 13:44 (Reply)
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