The mere mention of the word wedding or evening wear conjures images of wonderfully opulent gowns, statement outfits and all our glamour – in short, all of things us fashionistas love! Evening and occasion wear can be expensive however, which means when we have a budget and need to stick to it, this most indulgent of wardrobe additions becomes a little more challenging. If you do need to find a new dress for a special occasion such as a wedding, a party or major celebration, fear not, we have lots of tips and tricks to ensure you get a stylish, luxe look without blowing your budget. Yes Cinders, you will go to the ball!
- Look for retro and vintage designs
Retro and vintage inspired designs are a great place to start for any evening wear needs. The decades between the 1920s and 1950s are regarded far and wide as being the golden years of classic style so, look to those eras to find something that is inherently chic and glamorous.
This black and floral retro style dress would be idea for bridesmaid duties but also effortlessly transitions to the evening reception. With a nipped in waist it flatters any figure, while the full skirt makes it perfect for dancing the night away. It’s a little black dress, but not as you know it!
- Choose statement shoe
Adding a statement shoe is a wonderful way to really elevate and evening look without breaking the bank. The good news is statement shoes can be flat, kitten heel or sky scraper so choose a style that suits. While a classic black pump is endlessly elegant and will never date, you can also brighten things up with a pop of colour or splash of print – tiger and leopard are chic and perfect for night time. Look for interesting materials too.
Choose a shoe that matches one of the colours in your dress too – a black mule or kitten heel would look fabulous with this stylish black evening wear dress.
- Add carefully thought out accessories
Adding the right accessories can really cement your style whether you’re searching for affordable eveningwear for a big corporate event or need to look polished while on bridesmaid duty but don’t want to break the bank. The right statement necklace can jazz up even a plain dress and elevate it to a level worthy of the occasion for example. If you have a dress with a bare shoulder, adding a low cost pair of sparkly shoulder-sweeping earrings immediately adds evening occasion vibes.