Every woman should have a few pieces of formal clothing in her closet. These are the dresses and skirts that come out for special occasions – weddings, nights out at the opera, dinner parties, and romantic weekend getaways. These special items usually come with a premium price tag which means that sticking to a budget when shopping may not seem like a very easy proposition. Just because you want to keep an eye on the bottom line does not mean that you have to dress cheaply. In fact, you can still create a respectable selection of long evening dresses while still minding the budget.
Photo Credit: http://shop.tadashishoji.com/
Shop off season
Major clothing stores hold sales throughout the year to clear out off-season inventory and make room for new items. This is a great time to find a great selection of formal clothing at very competitive prices. Keep an eye on store signage to stay informed of upcoming sales, then start putting aside a little money towards that new dress. While other sales racks will certainly tempt you, stick with your shopping list and head straight to the racks with short evening dresses and other formal items.
Do not compromise
Shopping at the end of the season and waiting for off season sales begin will only help you if you purchase worthwhile items. Do not compromise for a dress that does not fit correctly, that is not quite the right color, or that does not flatter your figure. Spending money on a dress that is less than optimal is simply a waste of money, even if it is on sale. Consider these points:
- Is the dress’s hemline at a height you are comfortable with?
- Is the sleeve length comfortable or do you wish it was different?
- Are there places that the dress does not fit correctly?
- Do you have to settle for a size smaller than what you would have like?
Compromising when it comes to fit, style, or other key elements is a poor use of your budget. If you do not see something you like, just wait for the next big sale. You will already have money set aside that can be used on a dress you are actually satisfied with.
Look for necessary accessories
A formal outfit is more than just the clothing you wear. You will need a selection of quality accessories to really complete the look. Jewelry, purses, and shoes tend to go on sale more frequently than long evening dresses so pick up a few items that you do not have. Selecting the right accessories for a formal outfit gives you a major head start on any outfit. In fact, a dress or pantsuit that you already own can be given a significant boost by using high quality formal accessories. Even if you have not yet found the perfect dress for your formal wardrobe you can still pick up a good pair of shoes; just make sure that you do not compromise on quality or fit here, either.
Know what you have
You might be surprised at what you already own. Stoles, wraps, shoes, handbags, and even heirloom jewelry can add a lot of interest to your formal wardrobe. Even if you do not currently own any short evening dresses this does not mean that you are completely lacking in a wardrobe appropriate for a formal occasion. Assessing what you already have will prevent you from purchasing something similar and thus spending money that could otherwise be put towards a different purchase.
Speak Your Mind