Lately, I have been drawn to the dresses in my closet. I am a jeans/t-shirt/trench/converse gal - so this was a definite departure from my 'norm'. Recently I have come to realize that dresses are in fact an easy outfit - an 'all in one' solution that can carry you from day to night, and there are plethora of choices out there. Edgy, classic, bright colours, non-colours, florals, abstracts, ruffles, applicés, bows, sequins...you name it! However, for those of us who are on a tight budget and who don't have a dad with deep pockets to afford the fashions from the Paris/NYC/Milan runways, I suggest a more cost-effective solution:
I would like to take my readers on a personal journey, well at a least a more spend-thrift journey through my closet to find the perfect dress. I recently shopped in my closet to find dresses that mirrored the trends that are out there ... hope you enjoy!! Why spend more money when you can reuse, reaccessorize and redefine your sense of style with existing pieces from your wardrobe!?! You may be surprised by what you find...
Blue Valentine
Red, pink, white! BAH!! I am up for a rebellion against these traditional colours. Seeing as Valentine's day is around the corner and Spring will be here in no time, I decided to jump right into a bright color that mirrors the excitement of what is to come ...and to begin this color rebellion I have decided to explore the world of SEAFOAM!
I have been in love with this colour for the longest time. Seafoam is a bold, bright, in your face color - I love them in classic form dresses (as demonstrated by Dita Von Teese in her Moschino version and Cynthia Nixon in her Calvin Klein gown) but they can even add just the right amount of colour to a fashion forward look with minimal accents on other looks... I found this gorgeous silk/jorjette trumpet flare dress in my closet from JACOB (circa 2004, $29.99).
Let's Polka!
Another trend that has been in an out for a while is polka dots...yes, they can be difficult to pull of at times, but I find that the more delicate the polka dots, the more demure the look. I first fell in love with the 'navy blue dress with small white polka dots' print when I was 3, yes that's right 3, I was gifted this cute little pinafore dress that I wore ALL the time. I re-visited this look once again when I came watched the 'Don't Speak - No Doubt' music video (I loved how Gwen rocked the dress during the rehearsal -in -the- garage-sequences)...Anyways, here are some red carpet repititions of this enduring style (Kylie Minogue, Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson): My dress was $9.99 from a vintage store...It has this great ruffle detail along the neck line and I love wearing this dress with dark stockings and T-strap pumps (topped off with a french berret and trench or black cardigan - a little French, I know, but I can't resist)
I have been a long time fan of Anthropologie - but at regular prices, their clothes can be a bit of a reach for me. However, I have kept my eyes for good deals - even snagging a $200 dress for $11, a $300 Sweater for $29, and the list goes on. Most of these pieces were acquired recently and have become some of my favourites. They include (in order): Mrs Woodward's Camisole, Athena Blouse (Ranna Gill), Sun-Stiched Skirt, Contrasting Halves Dress (Gryphon), Palindrome Sweater (Cecilia Prado) and lastly the Matriarch Skirt. I have worn all of these and not only is the quality great, but their unique designs make these sweet deals even more special!
