Following on from last week’s Wardrobe Wonderings, this week we have a similarly thrifty theme. Here’s the question:
“I’m going to a wedding in a few weeks and want to buy a new dress, but I’m on a budget. Can you recommend something that’s cheap but also that I can keep wearing through the summer?”
This is something I’ve been pondering recently. I’ve got two weddings coming up (neither one my own, fact fans!) and because I so rarely get the chance to wear posh dresses, I don’t see the point spending a whole heap of cash on one.


Thrifted Laura Lees for Topshop dress, H&M shawl, Accessorize clutch, Dune shoes, Eclectic Eccentricity bracelet, homemade corsage

Dress as before, Primark vest, cardigan, ring and wooden bangle, TK Maxx sandals, Fossil bag, vintage belt
This dress was £1.50. Seriously – £1.50! And it’s 100% silk. My magpie eye zoned in on it hanging in the back of a van and I knew it’d be perfect for a multitude of summer events. But it’s far too pretty to save for such special occasions when they come around so infrequently, so here are my tricks…
Wedding Wear:
- A slim heel is dressier than a chunky one
- A lightweight shawl looks chic over bare arms
- Add a pretty corsage for a 50s feel
- A little clutch will house all your essentials
- Dainty jewels make a subtle statement
Office Attire:
- Leather gladiator sandals are cute and comfy
- A plaited belt softens a dramatic print
- Add a vest to avoid inappropriate cleavage!
- A cardigan is the perfect office cover-up
- A big, slouchy bag means you can lug around all your worldly possessions
Simple, stylish and money-saving, too. Any tips of your own to add? Do you have a special occasion coming up? Will you wear your outfit for every day stuff too? Let me know!
I also need your pictures for Wardrobe Wonderings – the results. This week I need TWO clear, full length (or near enough) photos – one of you ready for your special occasion, and one of you wearing your outfit in a more casual way. Email me your photos along with the occasion you’ll be wearing your outfit to and a link to your blog and you’ll feature on next week’s post.
I can’t believe that dress was £1.50! Gorgeous – & I love how versatile it is..
‘Versatile’ is always a word I use when I bring new purchases home – normally in an attempt to justify them to my mother! But it’s true – you can wear things so many different ways, & I love that 🙂
http://www.heart-shaped-bruise.blogspot.com
Flower patterns look so flattering on you!
Sheer genius.
Pretty, pretty, pretty! Great find, fab price and just gorgeous on you.
Vix
xxx
PS What a fantastic cleavage you have, my dear! Very envious of those assets!
‘A big, slouchy bag means you can lug around all your worldly possessions.’ That’s how I feel going to school.
Xoxo
Sarah
Love that dress! And £1.50? Awesome!
I don’t really have any pieces like that, but I do have a pretty prom dress that I wore to my uncles wedding, recycling it a year later for a halloween costume. x
£1.50!!! bloody hell!! find of the century!
Love both, and it looks a completly different dress!
X x
Beautiful dress, what a fab thirfty buy 🙂 you’ve encouraged me to pull a dress I was saving for dressing out out and see if I can dress it for the office tomorrow instead xx
The dress is stunning and what a bargain! Both outfits are fab but the wedding ones is the best!
Beautiful dress – £1.50?? Can’t believe it. What an amazing bargain. xx
http://www.weshopthereforeweare.co.uk/
The dress looks beautiful. I love how you’ve styled it in both of the pictures. x
What a gorgeous dress!! It looks beautiful on you, and I love the style options!
What a brilliant price for that gorgeous dress. It fits you so perfectly and I love how you’ve dressed it up and down.
That dress is P.R.E.T.T.Y. and such a bargain!
xx
I adore silk dresses, something about them just appeals to me.
This one is such an incredible find! It looks in immaculate condition and such a summery print!
Amazing x
This is brilliant! And yes, I hear an echo on this blog- £1.50!!! Amazing.
Ooh I feel a challenge coming on, I like the idea of this one!
Jen, that dress looks absolutely perfect on you!
That dress is gorgeous and such a bargain!
You are one very lucky lady, 100% silk for £1.50… I’m more than a little bit jealous! xXx
the print on the dress is so gorgeous. i think this is the best ever bargain i have ever heard of!
£1.50 for this gorgeous silk dress??? You’re kidding! Just the fabric would be ten times of the price (at least). Great buy – and so pretty. Perfect for a wedding! xoxo