I feel like this should not be a hard search, but it is. I'm looking for casual dresses to wear this summer. Frankly, I've just been kind of sick and tired of having to come up with whole "outfits" lately (I know, how lazy do I sound?!) and want to look put-together in the easiest way possible this summer. So I plan to wear dresses like every day. So I have been shopping around to stock up.
My job is super casual (lots of people wear actual elastic-ankle sweatpants and matching sweatshirts and plastic flip flops to work, if that's any indication) so I figure most of the dresses I buy should be pretty safe for both work and weekends - it's not like I need 2 seperate wardrobes here. But, because I *do* plan to wear my dresses to work, I don't want them to be super short or super low or have spaghetti straps, and this is where I'm running into problems.
Can anyone suggest a shop/site I should try for casual dresses that don't show too much skin? Oh, and I really don't want to spend more than $50/dress since I plan to buy a pretty good amount of them.
I went to the outlets last weekend and came back with nothing. I was there for 3 hours going in and out of a zillion stores and just nothing worked - everything was too lowcut or too short. I went to H&M last weekend too and got about 8 dresses - a pretty good haul for 1 store but not enough to dress myself for an entire summer! Help!
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Fashion is art you live your life in. - Devil Wears Prada | formerly ttara123
I like BP at Nord., but many of their dresses are probably too short. Maybe look at Land's End, Eddie Bauer, or LL Bean for some basics that can be accessorized? Boden? Also, what about stores like Title Nine and Athleta? While many of their things look very athletic, some are less so and cute - - and the lengths are longer.
Do you have a Zara by you? They have some cute stuff there this season. Ann Taylor and The Loft put their stuff on sale often as well.
Honestly, I'd work with what you have at the moment and then start checking the clearance racks in my favorite stores in June. Most of the summer dresses that they are carrying now will be there by then. Plus a lot of stores will be having Memorial Day sales next weekend. You might find some deals on dresses then.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! There are quite a few I haven't thought of and I'm crossing my fingers! Now off to do some internet shopping and see!
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Fashion is art you live your life in. - Devil Wears Prada | formerly ttara123
Dirt cheap: 15dollarstore.com MJRsales (Leah Leanna's score) ShopGoodwill.com (why not browse) Kohl's Old Navy
Mass market-range Alloy Delia's Lulu's Tillys.com Francesca's Collections Limited NY and Co. AT Loft Espritshop.com Chadwick's, Newport News, Spiegel Victoria's Secret Arden B
Midrange/boutiquey ShopRuche.com ShopPlasticland.com MikkatMarket.com (not really your aesthetic, though) Modcloth Karmaloop 80sPurple.com MaxStudio.com (sometimes has good sales) Topshop Urban Outfitters Free People Asos NeedSupply.com Moxsie.com tulle4us.com
Big retail sites Smartbargains Overstock 6pm Piperlime (sometimes sale stuff is affordable) Bluefly (rarely, but worth a look) LastCall.com (ditto) Plus department store sales/% off coupons Plus member sites (Ideeli, Ruelala, etc.) when they have their big clear-out sales
-- Edited by Suasoria on Tuesday 24th of May 2011 11:53:36 PM
I got a super cute dress at Target last week for $25. I'm like you--I've been craving dresses lately because they're so easy to throw on and look pulled together. Ann Taylor Loft had some cute ones in the $60-$70 range, and they're always having sales. I also got a great black wrap dress at Banana a few weeks ago that had been $98 and was on sale 40% off. Point is, there are lots of cute, fairly reasonably priced dresses out there that are casual and still work-appropriate.