Formal dress codes can be tough to adhere to, and if you have budget restrictions at play, even more so. But finding cheap formal dresses is not impossible, especially if you know how to look and what you are looking for. In fact, the value of a formal dress is not in the price – it’s in the fit!
In store or online?
If price is a big consideration, you might want to see what you can find online, before trying actual retail stores. Online stores often manage to beat the prices of retail stores, based on the fact they do not have to pay rental for floor space, and that much less staff is generally required to make an online store run. The running costs are, as such, much lower, allowing online stores to charge a lower price for their goods. Although this is not always the case, it often is. When you decide to buy online, make sure that you read the reviews of any given product, and let other people’s experiences guide your buying decision.
Another excellent benefit of shopping online, is that you can look for the perfect dress without ever having to leave home. Online stores come with delivery services, which is, for many people, a great deciding factor when they choose to shop online. Look out for spot sales and instant discounts and remember that online stores often offer a discount off your first purchase when you sign up to their newsletter. There are many ways to get a good deal online – all you have to do is find them!
What style works for everyone?
In a hurry to get your hands on a dress? A great hack to formal dresses is to try and find a simple but elegant slip dress. The cut is universally flattering, no matter what your body shape, and the look can be dressed up or down, depending on the context of the event. Paired with statement jewellery and a great pair of heels, you will be ready for any formal event in no time. Keep the look fresh with light make-up and messy hair or even a low bun, and you’ll be amazed at how easily you put together a low fuss (and maybe even low-cost!) look with a very basic formal dress.
Do you!
Your formal dress should fit comfortably, and while remaining aligned with the purpose of the formal event, it should also feel like it reflects your personality. Feeling authentic and happy in what you’re wearing is the quickest way to take your dress from blah to yeah!
Love glitter and sparkle? Go for it. A formal dress code is an excellent opportunity to bling it up and sparkle, if that’s what you like. Make sure to balance it out though – the golden rule is that, if your dress is busy, to tone down the accessories. The plainer the dress, the bigger you can go with accessories. Watch out that you don’t fall into the trap of ending up looking like a Christmas tree – when it comes to making an impact, less is more, particularly when it comes to chunky jewellery.
