BEAUTY MUST-HAVES

WHERE TO SHOP EASTER DRESSES UNDER $100

Ruffled striped summer dress

When I was a kid I loved getting a new Easter dress every year. We would go to Belk or Uptons and I’d get to pick something out. My favorite dress one year was a little white cotton dress with a ruffled skirt and a big pink bow plus a white hat with a pink bow to match. It was my prized possession of the moment. Even as a little one I loved shopping so much. Then after church we’d get to find our Easter baskets and gorge ourselves on Cadbury creme eggs, Peeps and Jelly Beans. It was the best!

If I ever have children, I’ll keep a lot of these traditions alive. I loved how special the whole process was – the preparation and the anticipation was awesome as a little kid. These days, I still love eating all the candy, but my favorite part of spring is shopping for a new dress for special occasions. Oh, and clearly I am still loving ruffles and bows all these decades later, too!

Summer dresses under $100 on Belle Meets World blog by Elise Giannasi

I found this ruffled beauty at LOFT for under $100. Lately I’ve been trying to keep my purchases under that amount (maybe max of $125) because I’m such a fickle follower of fashion. Next year I’ll be sick of ruffles and bows and more excited by something new, so I simply don’t see the point in spending a lot of money on a single piece (handbags and shoes are the exception, obvi).

Stores like LOFT, Banana Republic, and Asos can almost always deliver for me on this front. The price is right and most of the pieces are on trend. I get asked where I shop a lot and people are always surprised when I tell them I shop at the exact same places they do! If you’re looking for spring and summer dresses under $100 – I’d start here. And you’ll also find all the perfect accessories one needs for the whole look like sunglasses, hats and cute bags!

Circle basket bag on Belle Meets World blog

Here are all the cutest options for spring and summer dresses I’ve seen at these retailers recently. You might recognize the floral off-the-shoulder dress from my other recent post where I explored the benefits and pitfalls of trying to be different! Even if the full price tag is over $100, they almost always have a sale going on, so you rarely have to pay full price. I’m not religious anymore, but I do think it’s fun to dress up and go for brunch and eat all the candy on Easter, so that’ what I’ll be doing thank you very much! Happy shopping to you!

Summer dresses under $100, basket bag, sun hat

Striped sun hat

Elise Giannasi Atlanta blogger

Lace up espadrilles by Lucky on Belle Meets World blog

Striped ruffle dress worn by Atlanta blogger Elise Giannasi

Ruffle shoulder dress by LOFT

Summer dresses under $100

Dress: LOFT // Shoes: Lucky // Belt: Banana Republic (old, similar here) // Straw bag: vintage (love this modern Kate Spade!) // Hat: Target (similar here)

P.s. How amazing is my sister’s photography?! She’s really helping me take it to the next level, and I’m so grateful!