Smart Girl Chic: 10 Summer Staples For The Price Of One Dress
Recently, I was out shopping for a slightly formal dress that was inexpensive AND stylish — one that I could wear to a ~special event~. I tried on this dress and fell in love. Unfortunately, it cost $290. Needless to say, I didn’t buy it. But as I stood there in the dressing room, I thought to myself, “Purchasing this one dress would cost me around the same amount as it would to upgrade my wardrobe (if I were being selective) with summer essentials that I needed.” On the walk home from the shopping trip, I considered the challenge of how to update my wardrobe for the summer for under $290, including everything from shoes and bags to bikinis and maxi dresses.
After I scoured the internet for essentials that were both versatile and inexpensive, I came up with a list of the following ten items that you can get for the same price it would have cost to purchase that single dress.
1. White cotton sundress that doesn’t look like a nightgown. ($40)
2. Slinky black dress that can be dressed up or down. ($35)
3. Pair of easy-to-wear shorts. ($50)
4. A sturdy beach bag. ($15)
6. Maxi dress. ($18)
7. Bold, printed bikini. ($30)
8. Colored sunglasses. ($8)
9. Metallic sandals that match everything. ($23)
10. Scalloped lace top. ($20)
In total, all of these items would cost you $274 to purchase — $16 under the original price of the dress. Of course, no one is telling you to go out and drop nearly $300 on new clothes, but it’s useful to think about how far your dollars can go if you spend them wisely.
