11.26.2009

Thrifty Thursday: Erin Wasson X RVCA Velvet Boatneck Dress at a Bargain

Christmas comes but once a year, and when it does? Please oh please do the right thing darlings and drape yourselves in velvet as much as humanly possible. Call it the George Costanza complex, but ever since my years as a child watching Seinfeld reruns from my hiding place behind the couch, I have had an ever so slight obsession with velvet. Unfortunately, its use in the fashion world is oftentimes nonexistent – except around the holidays. Hence the reason why I am so quick to savor its softness the moment radio stations begin rotating Christmas carols.

Finding the ideal velvet frock can be quite a challenge; especially once you’re over the age of eight. As grade schoolers it’s fine to don bright red velvet dresses trimmed in white faux fur; once you’ve graduated into the real world, however, such a style is juvenile. It is at this particular time that one wants velvet in sophisticated doses; body-hugging pieces that enhance your best features and conceal your worst. Erin Wasson’s X RVCA Velvet Boatneck Dress is it.

Neither tawdry nor excessive, the Velvet Boatneck Dress is understated velvet done right. The midnight hue is classic without being clichéd; while the texture of the material paired with the slightly-off, unconventional color adds a slight shimmer to the dress which makes it appear as if it is laced with enchanting silver thread throughout (it’s not). The crowning characteristic of the look, however, does not come from the royal shade or slightly billowy sleeves reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Juliet Capulet. That honor falls upon the thumb casings about the wrists, which provide a fingerless glove aesthetic to the design. It is the presence of those thumb casings alone which almost makes me willing to shell out the $100.00 required to make this lovely mine. Almost, but not quite.

American Apparel’s Stretch Velvet Double U-Neck Long Sleeve Mini Dress, while lacking the unusual thumb casings of the Velvet Boatneck Dress, makes up for the pretty peculiarity by featuring a back which dips scandalously low – an elegant and dramatic quirk with the power to make one channel their seductive side simply by slipping it on – for a mere $42.00; a price which makes it hard not to want to scoop up two. After all, you can never have too many flirty frocks lurking in your closet.

Who are you channeling today, darlings…the thrifty temptress or the sassy big spender?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Saks Fifth Avenue and American Apparel for the pictures.
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35 comments

Blair said...

Im not really that much into velvet but if I have to choose one, I would say the first one. I like the neck shape.
xx
(Im reading all your last posts these days, I have been ill so I couldnt before :-( )

daisychain said...

great find! I'm loving velvet this season

Couture Carrie said...

Perfect find!

Happy Thanksgiving, darling Erika!

xoxox,
CC

Leah said...

Since I'm not so fond of velvet and it'll be just a seasonal purchase, I will opt to be a thrifty temptress. But being thrifty doesn't mean I sacrificed the look, I love the scandalous back of that AA dress.

Happy Thanksgiving Erika!

Tights Lover said...

I love velvet. I really like the American Apparel dress!

Chicago Chic said...

Those mini velvet dresses are perfect, especially for the holidays! Thanks for this fantastic idea.

xoxo
Rachel

Meg said...

I really like the low back on the one from AA.

glee said...

i'm definitely on the thrifty temptress side. also, i'm a girl who sweats a lot with a very quick metabolism. It does not help that my corner of the world is very hot even for a winter, lol. so velvet materials won't really work. I love the style of that first dress though and the enticing back of the second one.

Mimi said...

Velvet seems so luxurious, especially for the holiday. Can't wait until Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Rachel Scarlet said...

omg I've always wanted something like that! It is so hawt! I've seen a few of these from Topshop. Quite cool. btw, Happy Thanksgiving :) XOXO

Caramell said...

ohh, both of these dresses are wonderful. It's a proof that valvet can take part in a really fab matching :D

FASHION SNAG said...

I love the one from AA and I definitely want it! So cute with that low back and you are right, the price makes you want to scoop up more than one =) Thanks for linking me back Erika. You are a sweetheart! xoxo

www.FashionSnag.com

Adele said...

thanks for visiting and your kind words on the guest post (: I scored a velvet vintage dress with a sweetheart neckline and big skirt awhile back and I can't wait to wear it for christmas! happy thanksgiving, all! x

Jord. said...

Great dress!

And i wish i'd caught on to velvet a bit earlier, i was tempted to purchase a velvet jacket a few months back & now everytime i find a decent mens jacket; it's sold out in my size!

I can also see why american apparel want to feature your reviews on their website. Brilliant (:

www.bonadragboys.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Marie said...

Hi darling! I love the AA. I'm obsessed with AA, as per usual. I don't care what trash people talk on them...tangent.

Ummm I love you! And thank YOU for being such a good friend right back. Happy Happy Thanksgiving my love!!

Sherin said...

Velvet definitely needs to come back into fashion (and not with sweats, which is the only place I see velvet these days). I love the Erin Wasson one. Its simple and elegant!

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

I love velvet too! happy thanksgiving from argentina! xo

Toothfairy said...

I don't like velvet, but I love these low back dresses, I never wear them because I feel uncomfortable not wearing a bra though, but they are always so gorgeous!


loves

Jen said...

Velvet always makes me think of Edwardians, in their creamy ruffles and pantaloons. I remember having a black velvet swing dress with cream trim that I wore with lace ankle socks, patent buckle shoes and pigtails. A fashion icon, even back then! :)

All Women Stalker said...

The low back dress has that va-va-voom feel. I love it.

-meream

Emily said...

These velvet dresses are lovely! I would go with the second one of course ;)

Nina said...

Sigh! I don't have the legs to do this look. But ... I'm going to find me those booties!

Great post!

Nina

Hello Jennifer Fabulous!

Let's both be really psyched that we get these beauties by hook or by crook? ... And I'm adding one more stipulation out there for the fashion gods that are listening ... they all have to be on freakin' sale and that we have the money to blow for them?! Wouldn't that be utter bliss?!

Nina

http://ninaballerinaclosetobsession.blogspot.com/

Fashion Court said...

happy thanksgiving darling!

Unknown said...

That was the only piece from Erin's collection that I liked. I'm just not a fan of that collaboration (although I guess now its become more of a permanent gig for her) I think I might head into American Apparel tomorrow (although braving black friday shoppers is terrifying!) bc I want to see this velvet mini in person and there is another dress that is similar but in jersey that I like. I worry about tummy pooch with velvet though....
Happy thanksgving,
thanks for all the amazing support and comments recently! I really really appreciate it more than you know! you can always email me to talk as well!!!
xoxo
-Kara

Jennifer Fabulous said...

I love this dress. :) You always find the best deals, Erika! So it looks like I need to head over to AA really soon...perhaps tomorrow when I brave Black Friday. Hehe.

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and ate lots of delicious food. (I did!). :)

Joanne Faith said...

I'm giggling because I had a dress EXACTLY like that, same velvet, same color, same shape when I was 7 or 8. Higher neckline, though. Threw it out b/c thought it was hideous & wondered why my parents had subjected me to so much VELVET.

And fast forward 12 or so years and it's bad & I love it. I love fashion!

Haute World said...

Both dresses are awesome! Ahhh, I agree with you about the thumb casing... brilliant idea! I'm such a fan of the fingerless glove to begin with.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a lovely weekend ahead!

AX80 said...

What I actually indeed like is the fact that you chose very versatile dresses. There's nothing better than a small black cocktail dress. Doesn't need to show all that much because the low back cut and the fact that it's made in velvet already make up for that sensuality. It's rather nice to see women dress appropriately in manners that suit their body type and make them look their best. Nice tip!

The Blonde Duck said...

I really like it. A lot. I'm going to go flutter my eyelashes and get Ben to buy it for me.

I hope you found something tasty to eat on Thanksgiving! I gorged myself (naturally) like a guppy and slept the whole car ride home!

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I had some velvet dresses as a child. I always loved them! They definitely do remind me of George Costanza's love for velvet.

Both of these dresses are very pretty, but I think I will go with Erin's dress. I think I might just have to get myself a velvet dress now!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Closet Cravings said...

Funny about velvet and "Seinfeld." Did you watch the season final of "Curb Your Enthusiasm"? So funny. =)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

WOWZA, that AA dress is so hot! It screams date night!

WendyB said...

LOL at the Costanza reference. Lately, everything seems to relate to Seinfeld in one way or another!

Anonymous said...

ive been desperately seeking sweet velvet for the holidays, this is so perfect. splurge, im thinking (:

Diane said...

i love both dresses! so lovely and perfect for parties during the holiday season

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