Pretty Dress for 20 USD at Target

Smocked-Waist Dress, Brown

Perfect for travel since it takes up practically no space in a suitcase and doesn’t wrinkle;  good as a cocktail dress with jewelry.Order a size smaller than you normally do at Target, because this dress runs big.

Also Available in Navy Blue, Ebony, and Military Green

Skirts

Target is having a sale: spend 50 USD and get free shipping.

Classic Pumps by Robert Clergerie, at Christabelle’s Closet

Update, April 8th: these beautifully crafted, classic French shoes have been reduced to the price of 50 USD.

Elegant Pumps, by Robert Clergerie; Size 7.5 US

Robert Clergerie Patent Leather Pumps, Made in France:  Simple, Elegant  Shoes for Evening, Cocktails or Teatime

It’s difficult to find classic, real shoes these days. When I speak of elegant dressing, I often mention closed-toe shoes, which used to be the norm. Sure, peep-toes and strappy high-heeled sandals are all the rage, but I don’t write about trends, except to disparage them and their lack of longevity. Exposing one’s toes and tottering about on stilts are never elegant. This pair of shoes almost represents my ideal for evening. Alas, they are a half-size too small for me. Advice to people approaching middle-age: buy your shoes a half-size larger than necessary, because your feet are about to grow a half-inch (once upon a time, these shoes would have fit me).

~~Copyright M-J de Mesterton, 2009

Elegant Survival Pick of the Week from Christabelle’s Closet

Allen Dress by ABS, Just Reduced to $28.00

Wear something simple, black and filmy underneath, if this is too low-cut for you.

Elegant Survival’s Source for Inexpensive Evening Gowns

Dress Like a Siren for a Song!

The Los Angeles company is called Buy in America. I’ll start with this cocktail dress. Please see their sizing chart. I disagree with their numbers, but after all, what matters is how the dress looks.

Almost all of the company’s dresses and gowns can be accompanied by their matching taffeta shawls–which are available at $6.00 each! Some really cute, old-fashioned evening bags and reticules are also on offer at Buy in America.

This next one is actually available in a 44-inch bust: Shimmering Cocktail Dress
Note: sometimes there are additional sizes listed a bit lower on the page.
At these prices, I can’t accuse them of driving down the “plus size” to drive up the price of the dress.

Long Evening Gowns with Matching Shawls

Good news: Buy in America takes PayPal.

Copyright M-J de Mesterton

Elegant Survival’s Source for Inexpensive Evening Gowns

Dress Like a Siren for a Song!

The Los Angeles company is called Buy in America. I’ll start with this cocktail dress. Please see their sizing chart. I disagree with their numbers, but after all, what matters is how the dress looks.

Almost all of the company’s dresses and gowns can be accompanied by their matching taffeta shawls–which are available at $6.00 each! Some really cute, old-fashioned evening bags and reticules are also on offer at Buy in America.

This next one is actually available in a 44-inch bust: Shimmering Cocktail Dress
Note: sometimes there are additional sizes listed a bit lower on the page.
At these prices, I can’t accuse them of driving down the “plus size” to drive up the price of the dress.

Long Evening Gowns with Matching Shawls

Good news: Buy in America takes PayPal.

Courtesy of M-J de Mesterton

Elegant Survival’s Source for Inexpensive Evening Gowns

Dress Like a Siren for a Song!

The Los Angeles company is called Buy in America. I’ll start with this cocktail dress. Please see their sizing chart. I disagree with their numbers, but after all, what matters is how the dress looks.

Almost all of the company’s dresses and gowns can be accompanied by their matching taffeta shawls–which are available at $6.00 each! Some really cute, old-fashioned evening bags and reticules are also on offer at Buy in America.

This next one is actually available in a 44-inch bust: Shimmering Cocktail Dress
Note: sometimes there are additional sizes listed a bit lower on the page.
At these prices, I can’t accuse them of driving down the “plus size” to drive up the price of the dress.

Long Evening Gowns with Matching Shawls

Good news: Buy in America takes PayPal.