I’m not the type of person to go out and buy “trendy” clothing. (I’m still regretting the ripped jeans from high school!) It’s not that I’m against trends, I’d rather just not spend a lot of money on something that will end up at the bottom of my closet in a few short months.
And sometimes I just want a cute dress for an upcoming event without spending too much money. I’ve received a million (okay, not quite a million but over 30) questions regarding dresses on a budget. I was on the hunt for cute dresses that weren’t your typical Forever 21/H&M frocks. And then my co-worker showed me a website and it was like hitting the jackpot. (Meredith, by the way, is definitely one of the funniest people I know. That girl can whip up a story in no time and is teaching me all sorts of pop culture references because I must be living under a rock.)
Anyway, apparently Meredith was googling something and stumbled on LuLu’s. Yes, some of the dresses are a little on the skimpy side… and some are a little to teeny bopper… but there are definitely some gems in there!!!
This dress is just beautiful. I love the mint and I love the cut and I love the fabric. It’s perfect for the spring and can transition into the summer. I think it would be really cute with a simple blazer of it and a pair of nude pumps!
Okay. Who’s ready to have a Gatsby party??? This. Dress. Is. Perfect. I have a serious obsession with the 20s and this dress is not helping. Oh my, it’s perfect, no?
I've never actually purchased anything from lulus but I have friends who are obsessed with the site! I'm not sure about the quality of the pieces, but they're perfect for experimenting with trends or dressing for an event. I definitely need to bookmark it 🙂
ModCloth is awesome because most of their dresses are actually really cute, not too skimpy, and lean toward the classic rather than the trendy. And though they do have a few expensive pieces thrown in, many of the dresses are around $40 or less–so actually budget.
I'm not sure in what world $60-80 dresses are considered "budget"–maybe when compared to $200 dresses, then yes…but they're not really budget for most of the college students reading this blog.
I have a very specific body type so I have to try things on. I typically shop at Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Target. Those dresses are definitely a stretch for my budget.
I made the mistake of buying from LuLu's a few New Years ago. The dresses are made for juniors, not women in college. Its too bad because some of the dresses are so cute for events where you need a one time wear dress!
These dresses are so cute. I am starting grad school this summer, and I have been looking for dresses that are appropriate for class (ie. not showing my butt). I am long legged, and can't wear forever 21 dresses because they are so dang short on me. Some of these are super cute!
Love love love lulus! I found the website and have been hooked ever since! everything I have gotten from them is very high quality and looks so cute on! 🙂 The Boyfriend was even able to pick something out from lulus for my birthday present! Love it, and am so glad you found it!
Is one's time worth money? Sometimes, shopping online at a particular retail website is worth spending a little extra to receive a quality product without the hassle of waiting in a long store line. Some customers are willing to pay extra for convenience. They also may be willing to pay for a product which allows them to stand out in a crowd, such as unusual colour dresses. Or customers may simply want dresses that aren't like the others in their closet and the price of paying extra is worth it. Plus, customers need products in a short amount of time and big box stores cannot always deliver on time. Products on back order may delay delivers for large big box retailers. However, smaller online merchants can often navigate around these difficulties and provide fast, reliable and specialized service just because of their size. This aids customers who order dresses or any other merchandise and allows them peace of mind knowing they do not have to wait the standard six to eight weeks for their gown.
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
I'm not sure to what extent these dresses fall under the "on a budget" category…
^^ Ditto. Maybe if you have a full-time job?
Haha I was going to say the same thing!! I don't think I own anything $80, it's way out of my budget.
I've never actually purchased anything from lulus but I have friends who are obsessed with the site! I'm not sure about the quality of the pieces, but they're perfect for experimenting with trends or dressing for an event. I definitely need to bookmark it 🙂
Jessie
Jessieholmesspringer.com
Some of my favorites are
http://www.reddressboutique.com
http://www.thebluedoorboutique.com
Modcloth.com is great for budget friendly dresses too! They're true to size and great quality 🙂
Obsessed with the LBD, the beige stripes, and the mint!
i love the dresses your picked and they're at great prices 🙂
xx
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
ModCloth is awesome because most of their dresses are actually really cute, not too skimpy, and lean toward the classic rather than the trendy. And though they do have a few expensive pieces thrown in, many of the dresses are around $40 or less–so actually budget.
I'm not sure in what world $60-80 dresses are considered "budget"–maybe when compared to $200 dresses, then yes…but they're not really budget for most of the college students reading this blog.
I have a very specific body type so I have to try things on. I typically shop at Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Target. Those dresses are definitely a stretch for my budget.
I made the mistake of buying from LuLu's a few New Years ago. The dresses are made for juniors, not women in college. Its too bad because some of the dresses are so cute for events where you need a one time wear dress!
These dresses are so cute. I am starting grad school this summer, and I have been looking for dresses that are appropriate for class (ie. not showing my butt). I am long legged, and can't wear forever 21 dresses because they are so dang short on me. Some of these are super cute!
Love love love lulus! I found the website and have been hooked ever since! everything I have gotten from them is very high quality and looks so cute on! 🙂 The Boyfriend was even able to pick something out from lulus for my birthday present! Love it, and am so glad you found it!
JCPenneys is my favorite places to shop for dresses. They usually have the cutest stuff on clearance.
love your picks! they are definitely dresses that could get a lot of wear out of them and they're not bad on the bank account!
xo Liz
http://www.PrettySweetLife.com
Francesca's Collections is a great place for anything on a budget. Dresses are typically no more than $50 and they last quite a while
Lulu's is great! I love Francesca's and H&M, too.
great finds!! I love them all, and they are all classic and perfect for spring and summer!
great picks! I prefer to spend more on investment pieces but if I need a quick dress in a pinch I'll go to H&M
Is one's time worth money? Sometimes, shopping online at a particular retail website is worth spending a little extra to receive a quality product without the hassle of waiting in a long store line. Some customers are willing to pay extra for convenience. They also may be willing to pay for a product which allows them to stand out in a crowd, such as unusual colour dresses. Or customers may simply want dresses that aren't like the others in their closet and the price of paying extra is worth it. Plus, customers need products in a short amount of time and big box stores cannot always deliver on time. Products on back order may delay delivers for large big box retailers. However, smaller online merchants can often navigate around these difficulties and provide fast, reliable and specialized service just because of their size. This aids customers who order dresses or any other merchandise and allows them peace of mind knowing they do not have to wait the standard six to eight weeks for their gown.
Pimkie (I'm in Germany) is my favorite shop for dresses. Zara is also a great option (usually 35€) and when it's sale season they're all at 16€!
xo
All of them are so cute!