The Budget Fashionista

Another spring trend we’re starting to see on the radar is the shirt dress, which we’re happy about since it’s eminently wearable and can be had for less than your average house payment. But it seems you could still spend that much, were you so inclined. So here’s a test—we’ve selected two options. The cost of one would have you one month closer to actually owning your abode, the other is closer to the cost of, oh, a monthly cellphone bill. So which is which?

On the left is the high-end option, $1,250 at eLuxury.com, while on the right is the budget (read: our) pick, from Macy’s, retailing for $80 and on sale now for just $60.