Holiday Dresses to Fit Your Budget

This time of year is packed with holiday parties: office, neighborhood, family, charity and more. Of course you want to wear a special dress to each party, and repeating an outfit is never appealing. You can find the perfect dress for each party, even New Year's Eve, that won't leave your piggy bank empty for buying gifts for all the special people in your life.

Ravon Short Convertible Dress, $65 from Gomatta Girls

Issue New York Fan Dress, $178 from Gomatta Girls

Burning Desire Dress, $77.99 from ModCloth

See a whole look with this little red dress!

Sequin Cowl Dress by Rare, $52 from TopShop

See a whole look with this navy blue draped dress.

Prixe Fixe Dress, $94.99 from ModCloth

See a whole look with this lace overlay dress.

Black Sheer Tiered Midi Dress, $90 from TopShop

See a whole look with deep red accessories.

Ringspun Beaded Fringe Dress, $129.30 from Asos

See a whole look with great accessories.

Downtown Countdown Dress, $94.99 from ModCloth

See a whole look with this party dress.

Get the SA discount card (designed for students originally, but for anyone now!) for 10% off TopShop orders, plus discounts at Blue Fly, A/X, Godiva and more!

Still need inspiration? See some of my favorite pieces and lookbook.

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Photos from GG, ShopStyle

Get a Crush on Velvet

Velvet is one of the hottest fabrics this fall/winter, but what exactly is velvet? And, how do you keep it from looking tacky and cheap?

LaRok Second Date Jacket, $115 from Blue Fly

Velvet is a style of woven fabric, not the actual content of fabric. For example, chiffon can be made from silk, cotton or a variety of synthetic fibers. In the case of velvet, the fibers densely woven together, tufted, then cut, which gives velvet its "feel." Velvet can be made out of silk, cotton, wool and synthetics such as viscose, nylon and acetate. Velvet, along with cashmere, was developed in Kashmir for nobility and royalty.

BCBG Velvet Paneled Dress, $125 from Blue Fly

Now that you know that velvet can be made of different fibers, it is easy to see that velvet made from silk is going to be the most luxe and polished looking. Stay away from velvet made with synthetic fibers to avoid that cheap look we all dread. If you do go with a piece made from synthetic fibers, look for a dense pile and tight weave.

Valentino RED Velvet Bow Top, $225 from StyleBop

To keep from looking like a Renaissance Festival maiden, look for contemporary clothing made of velvet or with velvet detailing. Also, accessorize with belts, jewelry, bags and shoes that are modern. Poofy sleeves, beading, and scoop and sweetheart necklines veer into the costume realm, and old accessories can compound this problem.

Juicy Couture Devore Velvet Dress, $350 from Net-a-Porter

Velvet can be an intimidating and difficult to wear fabric, but just remember to keep it modern, luxe and minimal.

Still need inspiration? See some of my favorite pieces and lookbook.

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For more information, online consultation or to schedule an appointment, contact me.

Photos from Blue Fly, Shop Style

Double Duty Dresses

Dresses than can go from day to night, work to play are essential for the busy gal. Not to mention, the gal on a budget! A simple change of shoes, jewelry and layers can make your dresses do double duty.

Max and Cleo Purple Houndstooth Dress, $68 from Blue Fly

A dress worn during the day can be worn with flats, wedges, and variety of sandals. Remember, you are dressing for day, so sky high heels, heavy embellishments and metallics aren't necessary. Pack those shoes in your work bag or just run home and slip them on after a day of hanging out with friends or running errands.

Wyatt Black Jersey Dress, $68 from Blue Fly

If you wear your dress to the office, classic pumps are a no fail option. Just bring your snazzy shoes or boots with you so when you meet up with friends, or a guy, you won't look like you just left cubicle-land.

Casual Couture By Green Envelope Jersey Dress, $89 from Blue Fly

Your day jewelry may be simple, like studs or small hoops. Or, you may go for chunky necklaces layered. At night, you can refine your look with more sparkle, or go edgier with spikes, tassels, feathers and bold colors. Statement and bib necklaces are still popular for nighttime fun as well.

Marc New York Wine Gabardine Dress, $99 from Blue Fly

Office jewelry needs to be kept to a minimum. That means nothing distracting, too large or trendy and your jewelry shouldn't make noise as you move about your work space. Studs, simple pendant necklaces, delicate watches and one ring per hand are the norm.

BCBG Evergreen Jersey Wrap Dress, $102

A Boho belt is fine for day, but an embellished belt at night will elevate your look. But, keep belts in neutral colors and sleek for work.

BCBG Ultraviolet Sweater Dress, $108 from Blue Fly

Even though many offices are becoming more casual, you may feel the need to cover your shoulders. Adding a blazer or shrug to your outfit can accomplish this. After work, keep it on, or take it off. You can even add a scarf or hat.

BCBG Emerald Jersey Tulip Dress, $114 from Blue Fly

As fall and winter approach, think about patterned tights. Keep patterns small and simple for office and day, but you can always change to colorful or larger patterned tights in the evening.

JB by Julie Brown Tatum Dress, $120 from Blue Fly

Your one dress will be so versatile, who needs a closet jammed with clothes?

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Photos from Blue Fly

Max Out With the Maxi Dress

Most of us are not tall like the beautiful models that show us what to wear and how to wear it. The maxi dress makes a short person like me nervous. I know that I will not resemble a lanky model gliding down the runway in her summer or resort wear. But, maxi dresses seem to sticking around, and with the summer heat not going anywhere soon, the maxi dress is a great work or going out option.

My Tribe Black Penelope Dress, $39 from ideeli

If you are tall, gladiator sandals and embellished sandals paired with a maxi dress make a great pair. However, if you are average sized, give yourself some height with platform or heeled sandals.

Torn by Ronny Kobo Lucy Dress, $99 from Shop Bop

Guillaume Hinfray Carraux Platform Sandal, $225 from Gilt

Skip ruffled and voluminous maxi dresses, as they will make your bottom half heavy and the eye will be drawn down instead of upward. Look for pale colors and light fabrics to keep the look light.

Loeffler Randall Light Grey Silk Ladder Back Dress, $207 from Blue Fly

If you are on the shorter side, go for maxi dresses that show your ankles. If your feet get lost in the skirt of the dress, you will look even shorter and all that fabric will weigh you down.

Haute Hippy Wrap Dress, $575 from Shop Bop

Also, neckline embellishments will keep the focus up. Racerback and crisscrossed straps add interest, as do cutouts.

T-Bags Jersey Maxi Dress, $205 from Net-a-Porter

Don't be afraid to add a belt to your maxi dress to define your waistline. Pick a wide belt, skinny belt, tribal belt or any other type that you like! Add your personal style to this trend.

Rough Roses Belt, $60 from Blue Fly

Keep your eye out for streamlined, body conscious maxi dresses. The slimmer silhouette makes the maxi dress more polished. Everyone needs their wardrobe pieces to do double duty at work and night.

At work, keep your accessories to a minimum, but once you leave, add earrings and bangles to take the look to the next level.

Kenneth Jay Lane Cabochon Earrings, $60 from Blue Fly

Chamak By Priya Kakkar Crystal and Mirrored Bangles, $32 from Blue Fly

When the summer heat does finally start to cool, keep wearing your maxi dress by adding a cardigan or shrug.

Rachel Pally Oversized Bolero, $36 from Haute Look

Maxi dresses aren't just for the tall, so give this stylish and versatile piece a try.

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Photos from Blue Fly, Haute Look, Gilt, ideeli, Net-a-Porter, Shop Bop

One Dress, Many Ways to Wear

Times are tough and our fashion budgets aren't what they used to be. But, we still want that feeling of slipping on a new dress and feeling great. With Victoria's Secret convertible dress collection, you can make one purchase, get multiple styles and get that new dress feeling over and over again. Plus, with all the money you saved by only buying one dress, you can get a new pair of shoes!

Daytime A-Line, $59

The Daytime A-Line dress can easily transition from day to night, and from beach casual to date night. Out shopping and running errands when that special guy calls? Just transform your dress and you are ready for anything! The Daytime A-Line dress is cotton modal jersey, has five style options, comes in seven solid colors and blue animal print for those wild ladies.

Daytime A-Line Dress, $59

If you are looking for something a little more dressy, go with the Ruched Convertible dress. With ten ways to wear it and twelve colors to choose from, this dress is for everyone. Go to work in the v-neck style and come home from a cocktail party in the strapless style all in the same dress.

Ruched Dress, $79

It can't get any easier than this! Plus, how many cocktail dresses are machine washable?! Not to mention $79!

Ruched Dress, $79

If you like longer, more flowy dresses, the Flirty Convertible dress will be for you. Perfect for everyday and vacations, you will love this dress that can even become a skirt!

Flirty Dress, $79

This extremely versatile dress can vary in length from above to knee to maxi and has so many top options from twist front halter to braided back that you will never wear the same dress twice. Pick one of nine colors and start trying all the ways you can wear the Flirty Convertible dress.

Flirty Dress, $95

If you aren't a dress type of girl, good news for you, jumpsuits are still in. The Convertible Jumpsuit is stylish and you can go from the office, to happy hour, to a date without a worry.

Convertible Jumpsuit, $105

There are seven colors to choose from; pick a darker color for work and fall and don't forget a bright color for summer and all the outdoor parties, vacations and fun that come with the season. Add a jacket, brooch, or layer necklaces to dress up the Convertible Jumpsuit.

Convertible Jumpsuit, $105

To order any of these fabulous convertible dresses or the convertible jumpsuit, visit Victoria'sSecret.com.

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Photos from Victoria's Secret