The Budget Fashionista

This edition of “High vs. Low� is all about how to get the maximum statement for your money, with a look that’s long on style. Alright, alright, all puns aside, the maxidress is huge for spring – and the best part is, it’s available at any price point. Can you tell the designer dress from its discount counterpart?

Exhibit A: a Rachel Pally dress from Shopbop, a splurge at $267. Exhibit B: the Maxi Tube dress from Old Navy, now on sale for just $14.49 (!) at oldnavy.com. Graphic floral print? Check. Long silhouette? Check. Dress that manages to be both comfortable and chic? A big check – for both the blowout and the bargain version. While the Rachel Pally dress is a dry-clean-only jersey knit, ON’s interpretation is made of a blend of cotton and Modal, making it not only supersoft but super-resilient (a must for summer vacay packing!)

But before you rush out to your nearest Old Navy, let’s lay out a few ground rules for how to wear the maxidress. For starters, the sheer length of the dress makes it a little trickier to wear – this is one look that’s easy to overdo. Pairing a maxi with heels is a surefire way to look overdressed and a bit contrived. Instead, stick to less-substantial footwear, like strappy gladiator-style sandals or a pair of metallic thongs (like the one the model on the left is sporting), to maintain that laidback, boho-chic vibe. Secondly, keep all other accessories to a minimum. A few delicate bangles or a pair of earthy-looking coral or turquoise earrings is all you need – anything more will just compete with the bold print and statement-making length of the dress.

And the splurge is...? Exhibit A, the Rachel Pally number, is on the left.