Party Dress Shopping: Budget #2

So here's part tw0 of my party shopping series, with the total look for just under $750. I know that's still a lot of money, but when you add the price of a party dress on top of the price of a basic, well-made clutch and pair of heels stuff can start to get expensive. Which just means that it's time to start shopping your closet for those wardrobe staples you can add to whatever new party dress you get for the season for a chic, polished look.

Shoshanna Strapless Twist Dress, $374 at shopbop.com: The dress would be a good investment because the shape is classic, just a sweetheart strapless with a flowy, a-line skirt and a nice, fitted band at the waist. That's a very flattering, very versatile shape. And then you get to all the little details that really make this dress. The gathered, woven pleating at the bodice has a bit of a Grecian vibe, and is tactile and soft and gorgeous, but so subtle that it's not overpowering. The same goes for the tiny print. It has so many different colors that it could totally take over the dress, but since the print is so tiny the fabric looks rich and interesting, not crazy and in your face. Plus, with all those different colors in the print it makes this dress really easy to accessorize because you have so many colors to pull from. You could channel a bunch of different trends with this dress by styling it with different belts, different necklaces, different shoes, and that's what makes it worth the price tag.


Citrine by the Stones Single Stone Pendant Necklace, on sale for $98 down from $140 at shopbop.com, Lauren Merkin Eve Ostrich Clutch in Orchid, $225 at shopbop.com, Pelle Moda Wrigley Peep Toe Pumps on Double Platform, $145 at shopbop.com: I love this necklace and this clutch together. Yes, the hues are similar, but they aren't exactly the same, and they both pull from the fuschia in the dress. Because of that, you can work two very standout accessories that will still pull your look together. The necklace would dangle perfectly over the sweetheart neckline, and it's sort of unexpected and fun. The clutch is like the dress. It has a subtle texture, and looks very chic and rich, and the classic shape works perfectly with the vibrant hue. I think a black shoe would be too heavy with all those lovely colors, so I'd do a simple grey platform. The grey is a neutral, so it doesn't compete with the rest of the outfit, but it's softer and less expected than black.


This is such a young, fun look. The colors are girly and festive, but not at all cheesy or overwhelming. I could see this working for spring, summer, fall, or winter, and looking chic year-round. With a simple, maybe braided updo and a grey, smokey eye this would be a total knockout.

Image Sources:
Shoshanna dress: shopbop.com, Lauren Merkin clutch: shopbop.com, Citrine by the Stones necklace: shopbop.com, Pelle Moda pumps: shopbop.com