Eight Stunning Formal Dresses Under $50

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Brian and I attend a ball every January, so every January, I set out to find the perfect dress.  I tried on about ten this year, and eight were winners, so I thought I’d share all of them with you in case you’re on the hunt for one… wedding season will be here before you know it!

And please excuse the dirty-looking mirror... it was actually pretty clean when I took the pictures, but those black dresses show every single speck of dust.  Haha.

Dress # 1

Y’ALL!!!!  This.Dress.Is.Stunning.  The second I put it on, it was love at first sight, and I knew immediately it would be the one that I would wear to the ball.  This dress is so fun, and the fur hem?  Perfection.  And so unique.  The quality is fantastic, the dress is flattering, and I received so many compliments on it.  It’s true-to-size – the small fit me like it was made for me – but it is on the short side.  I’m 5’5” and I don’t think I would have been able to wear it if I’d been any taller.  If you’re 5’5” or shorter, though, I cannot recommend this dress enough.  And it comes in different colors if you’re looking for something other than black.

 

Dress # 2

This was my second favorite of the short dresses.  This dress is rusched for an added level of flattery, and the sash just took the whole dress up a notch.  The quality of this one was good, and it’s true-to-size.  I’m in the small.  It also comes in a variety of colors.

Dress # 3

This dress was my second choice overall.  It is so elegant!  I love the bow on the shoulder, and the slit just elevates the entire look.  The dress is a luxurious velvet fabric, so the overall quality is fantastic.  It is also true-to-size – I’m in a small – and this one also comes in many colors.  I have this one saved in my wish list as a potential candidate for next year’s ball. 

 

Dress # 4

I absolutely loved this dress, but I wish I’d gotten it in black.  It comes in tons of colors, so I thought I’d try purple just to have something different, but I didn’t love the purple on me, personally.  It would have been a stunner in black, though.  The quality of this one is really great, and the rusching across the abdomen + the sash is a flattering combo as it really cinches in your waist.  This one is true-to-size, and again I’m in a small.  It also comes in tons of colors.

Dress # 5

This dress was probably the highest quality of all of them, and I loved it SO much, but the color didn’t look great with my skin tone as it kind of washed me out.  Had this dress come in black, it would have been a top candidate.  Unfortunately for me, this one only comes in this rose gold color.  But again, the quality is top notch, it hugs in all the right places without being too tight, and the ruffles down the side are just so fun.  This one is true-to-size.  I’m in a small.

Dress # 6

The all-over ruching on this dress is what makes it so special.  It is so flattering.  I love the one shoulder silhouette, and I love that the sleeve is sheer.  The quality of this one is just okay, but the price makes up for that.  I don’t usually care as much about quality if it’s something I’m only going to wear once or twice anyway.  This one is true-to-size, and it comes in tons of colors. 

 

Dress # 7

This one is similar to dress #6, but it has two sleeves instead of one.  It has the all over ruching that’s so flattering, the sleeves are sheer, and the quality is about on par with the one above.  It comes in many different colors, and it’s true-to-size.  It would be a great option for a wedding.

Dress # 8

Just for fun, I decided to try the same dress in this pink color, and I really loved it.  It’s similar to the one above in every way, but the color is different.  Ultimately, I decided the color wasn’t the vibe I was going for for this particular event, but again, it would be perfect for a wedding.

So there you have it – so many cute options that won’t break the bank! 

Happy Wednesday, y’all!