One Dress, Three Ways

When you're on a tight budget, it's important to buy versatile items that will go the distance in your wardrobe and take you from day to night and beyond. Inspired by this reality, and by a spread titled "One Dress, Three Ways" in the August 2008 issue of InStyle (pp. 108-109), I decided to see how I could stretch one simple PLEATED SHIFT (which I purchased for $14 at Target!) in three different directions. Here are the results.

1. Sweet Charm Simple and chic for a day of shopping and lunch with friends. SHOES Dark brown faux-leather gladiator flats, Forever 21, $19. PURSE Blue Patent Leather, Sigred Olsen. BELT Brown faux-leather, Forever 21, $13.50. BRACELETS (featured in all three looks) Gilded rubber bangles, Urban Outfitters, $5

2. Downtown Diva An edgy look for work or girl's night out. SHOES Black leather peep-toe Mary Janes, Aerosoles, $19.99. JACKET, Zippered biker jacket, Bebe, $39. LEGGINGS Twelve by Twelve, $18.

3. All Glammed Up Dolled up for dinner and dancing. SHOES Metallic leather slingback heels, Nine West via Marshalls, $28.99. NECKLACE Vintage faux pearls, Rummage sale, $1. PURSE Quilted Eggshell Leather Clutch, BCBG Max Azria via Marshalls, $80. BRACELET Black leather & gold cuff, Givenchy via Filene's Basement. BELT Thin black suede belt, Forever 21. BLACK TIGHTS.

	March '10
Sun March 21 2010
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31

March '10

Sun March 21 2010

Comments

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This is awesome! I subscribe to In Style and loved their article on how to dress a dress in three ways...I was so disappointed by the prices, though. I love how you found a way to do it affordably. Your version is absolutely perfect, too!

#1 Nic (Homepage) on 2008-07-20 07:14 (Reply)

I swear, this is the BEST fashion blog! You all have incredible style and creativity. I'm hooked!

#1.1 Anusha (Homepage) on 2008-07-20 11:05 (Reply)

Ah yes, don't you love how InStyle's first look used a $275 dress, $3,295 necklace, $1,450 Jimmy Choo bag, and $765 Jimmy Choo heels?!? The grand total for just one look: $5,800. We can do better, ladies!

#1.2 The Budget Babe on 2008-07-20 22:02 (Reply)

I really appreciate when someone shows you how you can wear a summer dress in the Fall/Winter (which is my favorite time of year). I struggle with buying short sleeve jackets and dresses because I feel like I'm not going to get very good use out of it because I can't wear it all year round. I don't like to layer but these 3 looks don't show alot of layering so thats a positive.

#2 budget chic (Homepage) on 2008-07-20 07:45 (Reply)

stay tuned...I took some more pics with the dress styled for fall/winter, wasn't going to post them cuz it's 90 degrees outside but I think you might appreciate them

#2.1 The Budget Babe on 2008-07-20 22:04 (Reply)

You have such great fashion taste! I am in love with the zippered Bebe jacket. It looks amazing with that look! And I appreciate how unlike Lucky and Instyle mag, you attempt to keep things affordable AND adorable.

#3 Joann on 2008-07-20 08:25 (Reply)

I love all the choices you showed here ...they're all so pretty and you've got great style. But I'd ditch the tights (even thought they're the "in" thing) . This is the only time period of the year that I can reveal bare legs. I'd reserve the tights in colder days or nights which is a good thing that makes these dresses look great even in the autumn/winter seasons.

#4 bingkee on 2008-07-20 16:52 (Reply)

It was creatively mix and match and its got style too. Its would be lots more nicer if every style is match with different types of jewelry to give totally different looks.

#5 WhiteAzalea on 2008-07-21 08:32 (Reply)

SUCH great looks, lady! And so nice to find another woman under 50 who owns a Sigrid Olsen purse. I love her style in handbags, though her clothes scare me a bit with the sherbet-y colors.

#6 Sal (Homepage) on 2008-07-21 11:44 (Reply)

Hi there,
Great ideas.
I have pledged not to buy any new clothes for a year and last week I challenged myself to find five working week looks from ten items which includes shoes and accessories.
http://workthatwardrobe.blogspot.com/2008/07/capsule-wardrobe-challenge-part-one.html

#7 Jane (Homepage) on 2008-07-23 06:37 (Reply)

sigrid olsen's stores have gone out of business. i don't know if that means the entire line itself is now obsolete. the dept. stores used to carry them too (macy's, L&T). if anyone knows anything, pls share. they used to have good jeans, although i agree about the pastel prints. eek. the fall lines were always better than the aqua/peach print type things.
btw, i saw that bag at the closeout sale and now regret not getting it. used to be 165! and it's real leather, not coated plastic.

#8 maggiez on 2008-07-24 11:47 (Reply)

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