5.04.2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Elizabeth and James Cotton T-Shirt Dress for Less

Darlings, canines may be said to be a man’s best friend; but for the glamorous gal, it is not a four-legged pup frolicking through a field of just-bloomed yellow daisies that doubles as our BFF. Rather, the adorable pooch is trotting by our side, a close confidante as we whisper scandalous tales of heartache into his or her ear; whilst the basic tee-shirt is representative of our bestie. Given the fact that so is the case, it should come as absolutely no surprise that the basic t-shirt dress is every bit as desirable and needed within one’s wardrobe. And there is no more flattering or versatile piece as Elizabeth and James’ Cotton T-Shirt Dress.

Proffering the very same sinewy goodness synonymous with the typical tee; the Cotton T-Shirt Dress is constructed out of 100% cotton, and harbors shoulder pads to give you that strong-shouldered look so common on the runway. Yet it is the sleeves – which reach almost to elbow-length – the chest pocket, and the round neck which truly give the style that kick of cool, simple, chic, sophisticated, casual oomph!

Kittens, whether you realize it now or not, such a design is utterly essential for one to weather the sultry summer that is so fast approaching for it provides one with the easy, breezy, effortless design required for briskly bouncing along the boardwalk in Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent’s Tilla Flat Thong Sandals with Woven Cuff, a fun Eugenia Kim Erika Sunhat atop your head; yet retains the ability to turn elegant simply by pairing it with Report Signature Shoes’ Lorraine Cork Wedge Sandals and cinching a belt around the waist.

But I digress; multifaceted in its aesthetic or not, the $245.00 price tag is not nearly as basic as the design itself. Luckily…American Apparel to the rescue!

While lacking the padded shoulders of the Elizabeth and James pretty; for a mere $30.00 apiece, American Apparel’s Fine Jersey Short Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt Dress is just as covetable as it’s designer counterpart. And as an added bonus, it comes in six sassy colors – red, white, black, ash grey apricot, navy, and ash grey sea foam – making it simple to scoop up one in each hue to take you from the beginning of warm weather season to the very end!

Are you having a tightwad moment darlings, or are you plagued with a craving to splurge?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Net-A-Porter and American Apparel for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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64 comments

Tiffany Kadani said...

I love the J Crew style. And the extra colors are very appealing. Oh summer, you are almost here!

www.janetteria.com said...

Great style! Comfy and timeless!

J. said...

I'm really loving this casual chic thing lol. In my opinion, comfort + style = smiles haha.

http://jammer10am.blogspot.com/

Couture Carrie said...

Fab AA find, darling E!

xoxox,
CC

Josie said...

I LOVE the Elizabeth and James one but the American Apparel is such a great substitute! Love how versatile it is and how many colors it comes in.
xxoo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

FASHION SNAG said...

I love the E & J one. I am such a sucker for that brand. x

www.FashionSnag.com

little luxury list said...

Definitely stick with the American Apparel version! Love the versatility of this!

J. said...

I love the E&J version but it seems a tad clingy for my figure (must work on the abs!) I'll head to AA for one of theirs!

Sara said...

Omg I have to go to AA now! There is one in walking distance from my house and after my co-worker gave me a shirt dress I have been obsessed with them! Great find :)

PS-ROMPER PARTY!!!!

Jamie said...

Love this!
I am plagued with cravings to splurge but I definitely pick my battles.
I am having a moment with American Apparel that makes being a tightwad rather easy ;)

http://glamlatte.blogspot.com

Leia said...

Gorgeous dress and alternative! :)

Haute World said...

Love the t-shirt dress! The E&J has a better shape but I definitely wouldn't pay that much for this type of garment. The AA is a great alternative, but I'd probably pick something in the mid-range as I think this style will last forever!

Clare said...

great dress, so handy and i think i'd opt for the cheaper xx

Oana Roxana said...

I know for sure that I would look scary in something like that,but the dress is really nice.

Hélène Heath said...

Love the color, love the cut, love the look - there's nothing wrong with this dress!! And to answer the question: i am having a tightwad moment, however i am STILL plagued by the urge to splurge! lol
xxx

Unknown said...

Tightwad Tuesday..very cute, and spot on with this one for sure!

Audrey Allure said...

Love Elizabeth & James stuff - well anything created by Mary Kate & Ashley for that matter haha. I do like the look of the American Apparel one though :)

ellie said...

so cool. i gotta invest in a belt.

Joanne said...

Either one looks like it might also double well over a pair of summer leggings?

WeShop said...

The AA dress is lovely - the colour is great, a real tomato red by the looks if it. Great price too. x
http://equatorlive.com/weshop/

Unknown said...

lovely red outfit looks cool

Anna Gray said...

Beautiful outfit! It looks so comfortable and unique. So lovely!

Great price too! =)

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

J Crew all the way!

Gorgeous Glam said...

I really like the E&J one. The details are so perfect on it. Warm weather here we come! xoxo

SabinePsynopsis said...

I am feeling a summer breeze coming from your blog... Lovely reds and the 2nd one is bang on budget! Great find, Erika.

K said...

Hmm. This looks like it would go perfectly with my new leather-look leggings!

Glowing Doll said...

Great post! I love hunting for bargains.

Sherin said...

I'm definitely in need of a splurge. That Elizabeth & James dress is to gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Cute dress:)

Tiffany said...

you are so right, everyone needs a basic t-shirt dress in their wardrobe. It would be easy just to stick some shoulder pads in the AA dress and make it look like the E&J one!

Unknown said...

$30 is a good deal!

Anonymous said...

i think i'll splurge on this one!

Jolie said...

$30 is definately doable and ash gray sea foam sounds very interesting! xoxo

Leah said...

For the first time since I started reading Tightwad Tuesdays, it's a splurge for me this time. I love the E&J version. xoxo

Anonymous said...

great 30$ sounds good have to buy it

Clare said...

Love the deal for $30! Except sans the belt. This dress speaks for itself!

Francy said...

I really like Elizabeth and James. The clothes are always so classic and chic. The shoulders on this dress are amazing. Defined, but not too big. Lovely!

Emily said...

the $30 buy has my name written all over it! :)

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

Oooh thanks for the tip! I usually think American Appearl is a bit pricey, but it really isn't that bad! I so badly want their body suits... Have you tried them? Do you know how true to size they are or how they work on tall gals like me?

The Blonde Duck said...

I love that look!

Mara said...

yeah I was going to say AA makes that style cheaper. I love the color though!

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stylecomb said...

I'm a sucker for anything Elizabeth & James. But I love both options!

http://goldandcitrus.com/blogs/blog

E said...

American Apparel is the root of all evil, I swear! I can blow so much $ there!!! don't tempt me!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

AA has some amazing pieces for next to nothing. I had SO much fun in their store in NYC!

Shop N' Chomp said...

I think the AA one would do just fine!

izzy and dev said...

That is a stunning outfit. Great for summer. Love the J Crew look.

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I def like the more frugal dress. It's brighter =)

Unknown said...

T-shirt...dress...you got me with those 2 words!!!

Elle said...

Def the AA on this one! I love E&J but really that dress seems totally overpriced!

MizzJ said...

AA for me! With all those color options and knowing that AA quality is pretty good, I have to go with the tightwad option this week.

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

Oh, I love me some American Apparel - to the core! I think both are very cute (though the modeling done by the first one is a bit better), I wouldn't spend 245 bucks on that, no way. Also- I loved how you described us whispering into the "canine's" ear- such a gifted writer you are. (Apparently I had to address that in Yoda speak...)

Style Eyes said...

Always plagued with a craving to splurge. This t shirt dress is definitely very splurgable.

Jennifer Fabulous said...

As always, you manage to find a more fabulous inexpensive version than the original. And once again, you have me running to my nearest AA store. Hehehe. Love it! ;)

Wrecked Stellar said...

Hi hon! I love American Apparel pieces- I could throw on my black tri-blend t-shirt with dark jeans and still feel like I'm not in just any old t-shirt and jeans! You should come to my virtual slumber party! :) xo, mel

L said...

AA for me! E&J seems incredibly pricey for that.

H A N N A H . M A Y . R O S E . † said...

cuteee, I've been looking for the perfect t-shirt dress forever! x

Unknown said...

fab post x

Unknown said...

amazing dress,i love that fashion style,make anyone that wears it so hott!
that dress with a louis vuitton handbags is perfect!

Absolutely Ladylike said...

Great style..and I love red! Thanks!

Hope your week is lovely so far...

Cheers: Evi

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I think I might need to get that American Apparel dress. It's affordable and perfect for spring and summer!

Sarah from 20somethingcupcakes said...

Totally agree - so my best friend. I even like to wear them out at night, just throw on fabulous shoes, jewelry, and bag, and you're good to go! Often prefer that look to other more complicated outfits. xxSAS

ediot said...

great! thanks for sharing. i LOVE american apparel- such great clothing. and fun.
xx ediot

TheOnlineStylist said...

They're both beautiful but I do adore the E & J one just that little bit more - there goes that expensive taste again! x

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