Frugal Friday: Maxi Dresses

After taking a few Fridays off from frugality, I'm back to bringing you budget finds, all for $50 and under.

Today I set out the challenge of finding something with more fabric than most clothing items, thinking the more fabric the more it would cost. Today I tackle budget maxi dresses. It was no easy task, I'll tell you. Most I found were just big cotton tanks essentially, but I did find some, not diamonds, but cubic zirconia in the rough ;)

Xtaren, $52 @

Oasis, was $115, sale $35

Olivia Moon, was $68, sale $44.90

Oasis, was $90, sale $50 *

Urban Outfitters, was $59, sale $29.99 @

ModCloth, $49.99 *

Forever 21, $22.80

lulus, $47 @

ModCloth, $47.99

Arden B., was $69, sale $49

Audrey 3+1, $50

Charlotte Russe, $26.99

Charlotte Russe, $32.99

@Available in more colors
*EWP fave

Fab Find: Cheap & Chic Maxi

I heart maxi dresses. A lot. Totally comfortable. Effortlessly stylish. Don't have to worry about leg stubble. Hey, just telling it like it is.

I have a few maxi dresses but feel they're more super warm weather appropriate, and kind of naked for some situations. So I was in search for a less naked maxi that I could wear without it being at least 80 degrees out. I searched high. I searched low. And then I found it.

I got this maxi at Old Navy. I got it for 30% off. It cost basically nothing. I've worn it twice already (paired with a cropped cardigan for a pop of color). And I got compliments all day long each day I wore it. Love love love. I might buy it in another color.

Old Navy, $29.50 @

@ Available in more colors

Oh, and I promise a romper pic is on its way. Stay tuned.

Reader Question: Getting the Max out of her Maxi

Okay, I am obsesssssssed with your fashion blog. And I also love your taste. So I am asking your opinion! I got this gold Milly dress for a very fancy blk-tie NYC wedding I have on May 1 (http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/62122). Here is my question. Can I also wear it to a Amelia Island (northern Florida) wedding in April? (It's my husband's little bro's wedding; I am not in the wedding party but will be in lots of family pics, etc.) That wedding is not black tie, but the bridesmaids are wearing long navy dresses and it's dressy. I was thinking maybe with gold Jack Rodgers flat sandals and my hair in a styled pony tail, maybe this dress wouldn't feel TOO dressy? Thoughts? I just don't want to look, you know, over the top and uber-glitzed out.

First of all, I am beyond in love with that dress! Seriously I want to marry it and have its babies. So clearly I recommend wearing it more than once.

Only a couple questions that would inform my advice:
1) is this a daytime or nighttime wedding?
2) indoor or outdoor?

I think the maxi flowy-ness is great for Florida, but if it's a more casual daytime wedding than the gold may be too much. But if it's nighttime and indoor and fancy (full length gowns on bmaids = fancy to me), I think flats may be too casual.

Plus, if you're wearing the dress with heels in NYC, I'm guessing it's too long to be worn with flats, and you'll be tripping all over yourself. I would recommend a cute heeled sandal. A heel never hurt anyone. But if it's outdoor, there's the whole sinking into the ground with a heel issue and then I would recommend flats.

As for hair, I think a nice softly waved down look would be a more casual look. Though I am a fan of styled ponytails for weddings, but it has to be styled! No just pulling it back with a rubberband.

But I can definitively say you are going to be so gorgeous in that dress! Good thing it's sold out or else I'd have to buy it for myself... :)

Beach Getaway Shopping

So, as I do around this time of year, I've decided I need to get away to some place warm, some place with beaches, some place with expensive shopping. So the hubs and I are jetting off to Miami this week.


The trip was a little last minute, but that doesn't mean that I don't have time to order things and get overnight shipping.

Clearly all I want are dresses. First I thought short and flirty, but casual: Amanda Uprichard, $192

But then I started wandering towards maxis. Nothing says beach getaway like a maxi dress

Milly, $435

Diane von Furstenberg, $465

Diane von Furstenberg, $285

ADAM, was $595, sale $178.50

So many options, so little time. I need to order something ASAP!!