15 Dollar Dress and Watch

Dress, Sele. Belt, Xhilaration. Slingbacks, Audrey Brooke. Watch, Louis Arden. Handbag, Naturalizer (thrifted and vintage). Sunnies, Walgreen’s.

This dress and watch are items #2 and #3 of my experimental 15dollarstore.com order. (Item #1 was the tunic and the final item [#4] will be revealed when the weather cools off a bit more.) Both the dress and watch are cute, but the quality isn’t the greatest. The watch’s enamel took a bit of a beating when the jeweler removed the excess links. It has flaked off around the pins that were adjusted and at a few points edge of the face. I bought it because Angie had finally convinced me that I needed a chunky white watch. I only spent $15 on it because I’m not sure I’ll wear it after summer ends. The enamel should hold up until then.

The dress is adorable. I love the look of a black strapless dress with a white blouse peeking out from underneath. I’ve attempted this look with an actual dress and blouse, but the result was lumpy. An attached, faux blouse works much better. I also like the dress’ wide waistband (beneath the belt) and tulip skirt. I realized, though, as soon as I sat down on the bus to go to work, that the length is too short for the office, at least without hosiery. I plan to pair the dress with wild tights for fall (because, as I tell Mike, wearing tights is like wearing pants, so my skirt can be as short as I like). The dress isn’t lined and the zipper action is a bit jerky. According to the MSRP on the attached tag, it retails for $59. $15 seems much more appropriate.