This polka dot dress took the No. 1 spot for good reason — it's flattering, fits well and is super versatile. (Julia Webb/Yahoo)(Julia Webb/Yahoo)
Spring is here and summer isn't far behind, so your calendar is likely filling up with weddings, graduations, engagement parties and other special events that require some dressing up. Buying something new for each event can blow up your budget, which is why I was excited to see that Old Navy recently released a new line of dresses and elevated separates, aptly titled The Occasion. The collection's packed with party-ready styles that look polished but won't wreck your wallet: Most pieces are under $66, a bunch are machine-washable and everything comes in sizes XS to 4X.
The styles just dropped, and three dresses immediately caught my eye. I wasn't sure if they were too good to be true, so I decided to bring home my favorites and put them to the test. Spoiler alert — I was pleasantly surprised.
The first dress I was drawn to was this navy and cream satin maxi. I'm a sucker for polka dots, so I knew I had to try it out and it ended up being my favorite of the trio I tested. I'm almost 6 feet tall, and this dress hit right above my ankle and fit true to size. I also appreciate that, unlike most slip dresses, these straps are adjustable. You tie the straps together in the back, which gives you a much more formal look than the plastic sliding adjusters that you typically find on bras and casual tops. The material on this dress was also extremely comfortable and had a nice weight to it, and while I steamed all three dresses before snapping pics, I could tell wrinkles wouldn't be a big issue for this fabric. I could see myself wearing this to day or evening events as well as casual occasions if I paired it with a cardigan or jean jacket. At $55, this dress is a no-brainer buy.
This maxi dress features a flattering bias cut and sultry cowl neckline. If polka dots aren't your thing, this style also comes in black, green, coral, champagne and a dark floral print.
This flutter-sleeve maxi is made to stand out; the eye-catching keyhole neckline and seamed empire waist make for such a bold look. This dress also comes in black, melon, champagne, taupe and a green floral print.
The LBD just got a lot more fun. This mini dress has a voluminous skirt that's actually comfortable and sweet ribbon ties at the shoulders. You can also snag this dress in navy and cream polka dots, as well as three floral prints.
Who doesn't love a bold red dress? I had high hopes for this flutter sleeve style, but it ended up being my least favorite of the bunch. While I found the fabric to be clingy in the wrong places, this dress did have some redeeming qualities: the coral color was even prettier in person, the flutter sleeves felt fun and unexpected and the length hit me just right. I also gave this dress a quick steam before trying it on, but the wrinkles were a bit harder to get out compared to the polka dot style. This satin felt thinner than the other dresses and you could slightly see the outline of my bra at the bodice. However, I may give this dress another shot in black as I do love the cut of it and have a hunch that a darker color will be more forgiving.
Every wardrobe needs a little black dress for cocktail occasions, and this is an awesome option for $50. I loved (almost) everything about this design. The mini length wasn't too short, the skirt was voluminous without having a bunch of itchy layers underneath it and the straps are made of black ribbon that can be easily adjusted and tied in bows. This style had all the makings of a new favorite, except for the fact that it was way too big. Even though I tried it on in my usual size (and the same size as the other two dresses I tested), it was gaping at the sides. You can see in the photos how it gapes under my arms — and while the sides have smocking, it didn't help. Bottom line — give this dress a try, but definitely size down or prepare to have it tailored.
