Formal season is upon us, collegiettes: whether it’s your sorority formal, your boy toy’s fraternity formal, or a school-wide, season shindig, that invitation in your mailbox (or your Inbox) might be all it takes to send the shopaholic in you swooning. Sick of your tired, old LBD and in need some dress-shopping direction? Check out HC’s favorite formal dresses under $100 for every style and shape.
If your style is… EDGY
Formal may be a long-standing college tradition, but that doesn’t mean you have to play it safe when it comes to style. Shake things up with an unusual silhouette, unexpected sheer, and this season’s hottest color, oxblood.
Go for Gatsby Gold
The newest film version of The Great Gatsby isn’t due out until spring, so you’ll be cute and ahead of the curve in this ‘20s-inspired silhouette. Play up the look with sheer black tights and Mary Jane pumps! Leave your headpieces and feathers at home, though; there’s a fine line between quirky and kitsch!
Try: Frock and Frill Beaded Layer Dress – $96 at Republic
Structured Chic
While we usually prefer to save this tailored silhouette for meet-the-parents, tea-party-type get-togethers, the semi-scandalous sheer inlay and the brocade pattern make us weak at the knees. Mixing boardroom tailored chic with street-style is always a risk, but when done correctly, the combination is a head-turner!
Try: Embossed Skater Dress – $99.99 at Topshop
Oxblood, Oxblood, Oxblood
If you’re not already repeating this mantra to yourself every time you step into a store, you need to tune up your trend alert radar! Stay on the cutting edge with a splash of oxblood red, this season’s “It” color! The intricate strap and flowy skirt keep the color fresh and formal-appropriate.
Try: Little Mistress Embellished One Shoulder Dress – $88.50 at House of Fraser
A Sheer Thing
Make the most of this almost-maxi dress style by pairing glam glitter with sexy sheer! The see-through skirt keeps the style from looking beach-y and is right on-trend when paired with a thick pair of platforms.
Try: Black Embellished Maxi Dress – $95 at Wallis
If your style is… GIRLY
Pump up the pretty factor with unique new takes on the romantic look: crosscuts, high-low cuts, and cross-body sashes. Of course, no girly formal look is complete without the ever-flattering sweetheart neckline!
Tier Up
Pump up the pretty factor with dip-dyed fabric and waist-cinching belts. This tiered style puts a fresh spin on our old favorite, the sweetheart neckline. While we never lost our love for the curve-hugging silhouette, we have to admit that this facelift is doing the style wonders!
Try: Beautiful Dip Dyed Chiffon Dress – $99.90 at InDress Me
Fishtail
The popular high-low style is yet another way to give your standard sweetheart dress a bit more oomph: show some skin, work the train, and let that Campus Cutie catch a glimpse of your impressively high heels (finally, those “break-in” days hobbling around the house in blister Band-Aids will pay off!).
Try: Rare London Mullet Hem Chiffon Bandeau Dress – $72 at Rare London
Take a Bow
Nothing says romance like a frilly hem and a big bow! Sure, none of us wants to look like Sleeping Beauty for formal, but the dark blue hue and V-neck keep this dress looking more fit for a sweet Spanish dancer than a Disney princess.
Try: Arklow Dress – $89 at Jack Wills
Pretty in Pink
If you like to keep it simple – or you just want to add a little Audrey Hepburn magic to your night – you should look for sheath-style dresses with waist-cinching bands in feminine colors. The belt will highlight all the right curves and the pink will make you pop!
Try: Silvian Heach Dress Ashley Purple – $68.80 at We Like Fashion
[pagebreak]
If your style is… GLAMOROUS
Sure, formal isn’t the red carpet (or prom), but that doesn’t mean you can’t look like you just stepped off the silver screen. Infuse some old Hollywood glamour into your night with classic ingénue black, white, and red; sexy cuts; and a whole lot of glitter.
Golden Ticket
Nothing says “glamour” like gold. By choosing a dress with glitter accents – rather than one dripping in sequins – your formal look will read more “Jennifer Lopez” than “Tina Turner.”
Try: Cream and Gold Sequin Sleeveless Bodycon Dress – $48 at Debenhams
Sleek and Sexy
Glamazons are nothing without a little drama: it’s all about keeping the attention on us! This simple, black satin number shows off your curves in a way that will keep the boys’ eyes on you, not just on your (stunning) cleavage.
Try: Miso Satin Body Dress – $48 at Republic
Femme Fatale
We’re all suckers for the LBD, but the LRD (little red dress) just screams seductress. And we like it.
Try: Red Back Cowl Dress – $56.10 at Jane Norman
Silver Screen
Equal parts Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, and Blake Lively, the modern take on the glittered bodice is just flashy enough to bring the “wow” factor to formal and just tailored enough to avoid a Moulin Rouge moment.
Try: Lipsy Sequin Bust Peplum Dress – $43 at Lipsy
If your style is… CLASSIC
Whether you’re an Audrey Hepburn or a Jackie O., you know that clean cuts and colors are your go-to for formal (as are your pearl necklace and peep-toe pumps). Stick to basic, flattering cuts and fail-proof colors like black, white, cream, and navy.
The LBD
Sure, the LBD isn’t as va-va-voom as the LRD, but it lets our bodies do the talking. The simple silhouette and color allow you to wear the dress rather than allowing your dress to wear you. Make Miss Hepburn proud!
Try: Jacquard Full Dress – $99.99 at Mango
Warm Up for Winter
Navy, cream, and velvet usually aren’t spotted on the dress racks until winter, but with the recent year-round velvet trend (to which we are eternally grateful for justifying our many ‘90s throwback party dresses), it’s never too early to start! The rosettes lighten up the look, keeping it classic, cute, and of course collegiette-worthy!
Try: Cream Navy One Shoulder Applique Rose Dress – $88 at Little Mistress
Simple Sweetheart
We love to love the sweetheart neckline, but the flow-y, light, and romantic styles it usually accompanies definitely aren’t every collegiette’s cup of tea. If the idea of ribbons and lace makes your head spin, stick to a classic black, draped silhouette and make the sweetheart the standout statement of your look.
Try: Bodycon Sweetheart Dress – $33.80 at Tally Weijl
Whether you like to look pretty in pink or you’re more of a rebellious fashionista, formal is the time to indulge your shopaholicism (without breaking the bank!) and let your style shine. Keep the cutouts to a minimum, please (lest we pull a Miley… a definite don’t), but keep in mind that you shouldn’t be rocking a train à la Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, either. Formal is fancy, fun, and above all, stylish!