Splurge v. Steal: Maxi Dresses

I have a confession to make. I have a serious dress disorder. Dress, not stress. Remember the vault I was telling you about in The GREAT brick wall? Well it's a huge closet. One entire side is lined with dresses...and this doesn't include the random ones at the cleaner's or folded cotton ones. It's kind of disgusting, actually.

But I digress...the point of today's post is to talk Splurge v. Steal. We've all seen it in magazines, on makeover shows, and even done by our friends. You see something you crave. It's beautiful, it's hand sewn, and it's $595. Ouch. And it always seems to happen that you (well I know I do) gravitate towards the most expensive thing at the store. Not fun. In fact, I think it's a form of punishment.

So my current Splurge v. Steal items I want to showcase today are two beautiful and fun maxi dresses. These dresses are on the dressier side and not your run of the mill 'long jersey dress to throw on for errands'.


If you just saw these, could you guess which one was more $$?

The first is a black halter type dress by Tibi. I cannot tell you how much I love it and how many compliments I have gotten while wearing it. It's equisite. Not only is it cut incredibly well, it has so much detailing. The gold stones on the front, the paisley print throughout (and coming up from the bottom, my fave), plus the T cut of the back topped off with black, shiny buttons.

details, details, details!

Sexy back

It, to me, is almost as close as you can get to dressed up maxi perfection. And it was $620. AHHH! Fear not, bloggers! I did not pay this much. In fact, I stumbled upon this dream in a mid-week, mid-day excursion to Macy's on State Street in Chicago (ugh, I miss you, Marshall Field's). While shopping around in the contemporary section I saw multiple racks that screamed UP TO 80% OFF! Honestly, my first reaction was, WTF? Contemporary designers like Milly, Marc by Marc, Theory, Rebecca Taylor (ok, shut up now) up to 80% off? SO I dove in...and there she was. She fit perfectly (minus a necessary shortening of the hem...and I'm almost 5'8" and it was crazy long) and, wait for it....she was $124. DONE. And there we went, together, out of Macy's and into the streets of Chicago awaiting our first chance to wear the beauty.

Now onto my Steal dress (even though the Tibi was a steal in and of itself) While perusing the racks of dresses at Target, I came across this beauty. Oooh I love the print was the first thing I thought. AND a one shouldered neckline? Booyah, I'm in. It cinched in all the right spots, was a narrow fit without being too tight, and had a fun ruffle. Oh and guess what? It was on clearance for $24.99. Thank you, Target. And a bigger thanks to Liberty of London for making a Target line.

I love ruffles!!!

how fun is this print??

I've worn both dresses a couple times and ALWAYS get compliments. While the Tibi dress holds a special spot in my heart because it felt like fate that we would find each other, I am just as proud, if not more, of my Target dress.

Do you ever like your bargain bought goods better? Don't they feel like more of a treat and an accomplishment? I get more offended when my amazing found Target/Thrift store finds get ruined than a Marc by Marc Jacobs dress. Why? Because you EXPECT the expensive item to last, why else would you pay that much for it?!?

So with that my friends, I leave you with this question: What has been your best Splurge v. Steal? What items do you recommend splurging on and others saving on? Is there any place in particular you ALWAYS find steals? Do share!!

Oh and don't forget...you have until 11:59 CST, tomorrow, MONDAY 7/26/10 to enter my 1st Freebie Friday!!!

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