The maxi dress was the hottest clothing item for women last summer. This year it looks as if it is back with a vengeance. You can see it all over the red carpet, and even in grocery stores. This dress is elegant and comfortable.
The maxi dress is basically long flowing dress with a tube top or typical halter top. You can also find it in more modest versions. This high waisted dress compliments every body type with minimal modifications.
You can purchase a Just Cavalli maxi dress for $500.00 at shopstyle.com, or a Mossimo maxi dress from Target for $27.99, so as you can see, they come at every price point. However, at the lower price points, the quality of the fabric also gets cheaper.
If you are like me, you want to higher quality dress, at the discount price point or less. There are several places and ways to achieve this goal.
1. Get last year’s maxi dress. This years maxi dress is a bit more sexy and alluring than last years maxi dress, but for someone who just wants the long and flowing style, you will be more than happy with last season’s dress. I got mine at Ross Dress for Less, and have been going back to find a few more with no luck, but you have to be persistent to get good clothes for less. Marshall’s and similar stores will have last season’s maxi dress as well. Another place to find last season’s maxi dress is at thrift and consignment stores.
2. Check online clearance sales for the Maxi dress. These sales will change from week to week but a 15 minute internet search uncovered the following sales:
Forever 21 Paisley Chiffon Maxi dress $27.00
Charlotte Russe Leaf Maxi dress $29.99
Wet Seal Smocked Maxi Tube Dress $15.00
Shopstyle.com has an awesome search engine for maxi and other dresses.
3. Make your own maxi dress. The maxi dress is basically a long tube, especially if you like the tube top or halter version. You can easily make this dress for $15.00 to $30.00 if you have halfway decent sewing skills. This blog post at Ericabunker.com will show you how easy this dress is to make.
As a frugal person who also wants to look good at all times, I couldn’t recommend a better investment for the summer. You can wear it to weddings and to dinner, with the addition of a line of broaches at the waist, you can wear them to the beach, you can even sleep in them if you want… except you wouldn’t want to ruin it.
I already own one and am looking for at least two more to take with my on vacation. They roll up very small and can easily fit into a flattened Ziplock bag! That means no excess luggage fees!
Read: Sewing for Savings
A different type of frugal blogger
Andrea Hermitt writes for parenting (specifically teens), the home blog, and also the frugal blog, and homeschooling at families.com.