Let's Play Dress Up

This summer I have two family weddings to attend, which are exactly a week apart. While these are gloriously happy occasions and I adore attending weddings and watching the bride and groom gaze at each other on the altar like there's no one else in the world (whatever, I'm a sucker for romance), this means that I also need two dresses. This is a yay! and an ugh moment, because while I love dresses and they're actually the easiest thing for me to shop for fit wise, I'm kind of picky about them.

I currently have a gorgeous beaded vintage dress from the 60s that I want to wear to one of them, but it depends on the time of day and the venue, and may not end up being appropriate for either. Needing dresses has been on my mind for MONTHS and after losing out on a gorgeous grey chiffon Elizabeth and James number on ebay, I felt I needed to take a more proactive approach. To Shopbop!

I've literally become obsessed with Shopbop within the past few days. I've been there before, but something finally struck me about the really comprehensive way their site is set up and the tons of designers they have in stock. Like Alice + Olivia.

What I want in a summer cocktail dress is something that's simple but not boring, with details that give it a youthful freshness without it being too girly for me to pull off. Alice + Olivia delivers, and I shake my fist at my budget crying "If only...If Onllyyyyyyyy!"





I'm particularly taken by the draping of the second dress, which is just as beautiful on the back.



But with a price tag of 368 USD, my search continues. Anyone know anywhere I can get a dress to my liking for...less than half that price?