Tadashi Shoji makes you WANT to attend a wedding

Have you heard of Tadashi Shoji? Her formal dresses are dramatic and stunning. Unfortunately, her prices are also dramatic — worth every penny, of course — but a bit unrealistic given my sad salary.

So when I saw her creations marked down on Ideeli.com, I began racking my brain and thinking: what weddings do I have to attend this year??

If you’re planning on taking advantage of this sale, be quick.

Sequin Dramatic Neck Gown -- 149.00

Sweetheart Animal Print -- $159.00

Pailette Draped Gown -- $199.00

Foil Pencil Skirt -- $65.00

Diagonal Sequin Shift -- $129.00

Frustrating search for recession-friendly evening dress

So I’ve been so smart with money lately that I decided a few nights ago I’d allow myself to *splurge* and buy a formal evening dress for an upcoming wedding. I am allowing myself to spend no more than $200, though, ideally, I’d love to get something for less than $150.

My requirements are simple: knee-length or floor-length, nothing prom-ish, nothing red (the wedding is on V-day, so I figured It would look too deliberately cheesy), no bows unless they’re placed in an interesting way, no one-shoulder looks.

Yeah, good luck.

Days later, I can say I have yet to find a menu of dress options in my price range. BUT…I was able to find these…and I’m not giving up. If anyone has a suggestion for recession-friendly formal attire, please shout!

For now…

JS Boutique — $178. Like the color, not nuts about the halter style, but the empire bodice gives it a nice ethereal look:

Taylor Emerald — $142

Paris Black with Pink Flower — $137. Too businesslike? But the pink rose is just adorable.

30s Bombshell Dress — $126

Aqua — on sale for $147.50. I’m breaking my red rule, but this dress seems worth it — sexy, sweet and festive

Unique Vintage — $216. A bloody $16 over my budget, but so cute:

Lola’s — Best boutique in South Brooklyn

Lola’s Boutique is kind of set up to look like your most fashionable friend’s (colossal and breathtaking) closet.

Owner Mariana Nuziale picks each article of clothing, accessory and novelty item with great care, is sweet as sugar and never, ever pushes you to buy a thing. While I wouldn’t categorize the store as “recession friendly” — it is a boutique, after all — it beats the pants out of similar Williamsburg shops that are both disgustingly amazing and ridiculously overpriced.

Considering the fact that Lola’s is really is the only game of its kind in town — I’m not counting Consign Connection, which is a fantastic store that focuses more on designer labels — Nuziale is incredibly fair with her pricing.

On a recent trip, I purchased a studded Luluvia navy dress that still makes me giddy (less than $60), and I am currently coveting the following items, in no particular order:

Lace-up Flat by MIA — $60

Tarina Tarantino Bow Necklace — $100

New Castle — $68

Clay Skull Cross — $15

House of Harlow 1960s Cuff — $110

And I’ve just decided I’m sick of skinny jeans and want THESE ASAP!

Genetic Denim “The Morgan” Trouser Jean — $176

Live in NYC and want to pop over to the shop? Here are the details:

Lola’s Boutique
8503 Third Ave.
Brooklyn
(718) 745-4300

Urban Outfitters makes great tights

Got $10 to $14 and a creative mind?

Urban Outfitters’ amazing selection of leggings, opaque and ornate tights are constructed well and come in a broad range of colors like cherry tomato, peacock, navy and purple rain. For little money, you can take an old or otherwise blah outfit and make it a look.

UO’s line:

Thanks to fashion bloggers, the sartorial stars of our generation, it’s easy to envision these tights working with a variety of outfits. Think of this post as both a love letter to tights and the bloggers who make them special. Like…YeYe! Style Blog…both pairs are from UO…

Long-Sleeved Dresses

You’ve always hated your arms.

You have a huge tattoo of Betty Boop on your right bicep that, now in your late 20s, just doesn’t look as spunky and thoughtful as it once did.

Who care if it’s New Year’s Eve — it’s also 18 degrees outside.

Whatever the reason, there are times when a long-sleeved dress just makes more sense. The problem most of us run into with this trend is that it often makes us look like the mother of the bride. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. There are plenty of adorable, cool and affordable long-sleeved dresses that will glide you safely through the cold winter season.

Still need a New Year’s Eve knock-out dress? Ben Sherman — $152.97

Psyched for Z Spoke

New Year’s is a time of reflection; a time to think ahead and plan new goals and dreams, yada, yada. Of course it is, but this year is especially exciting for those who get excited about fashion because Zac Posen will be unveiling his new, lower-priced line set to launch at Saks Fifth Avenue in spring 2010.

According to WWD, Posen’s latest line will focus on sportswear and separates like knits, blazers and pleated khaki shorts and the pieces will range from $78 for a basic cotton t-shirt, to a non-recession friendly $675 for a knit dress.

“It’s not Zac-for-less, it’s not the little sister collection at all,” Posen told WWD. “The dresses — that’s something I can do with my eyes closed. This is about a new identity.”

Here’s a sneak peek: