How To Feel Like a Million Bucks in an Eleven Dollar Dress
I have been planning this post for quite some time (these photos are from my professional shoot done back in July with Sarissa Marissa Photography), all the while planning to title it “How To Look Like a Million Bucks in an $11 Dress”. But something in that title was not sitting well with me. Who am I to say that I look like a million bucks? It felt sort of pretentious and arrogant. And that is so not me. Plus, how I look is completely subjective to the viewer’s eyes. And I am never one to dictate to anybody what they should think, perceive, feel, like, or dislike. But I was really liking the play on words. And I wasn’t sure where to go with it. And so I kept putting off the post.
When I finally decided to sit down and write the post, I was looking through the photos and I thought, “No, in fact, I don’t look like a million bucks at all. But you know what? I sure as hell feel like a million bucks.” And isn’t that really much more important than how I look? I think it is. So here you go…my take on how to feel like a million bucks in an $11 dress.
Yes, this dress was $11! I found it taunting me from the clearance rack at Kohl’s for 90% off its original $110 price tag. And, as you may already know, I had been on the hunt for the perfect red dress. (I had shared posts featuring other red dresses here and here, but they were too casual for what I really had in mind.) So for that price, I brought it home with every intention of styling it for my photoshoot.
So how to feel like a million bucks? Add some killer accessories. Who wouldn’t feel crazy magnificent with a giant black feather in their hair? This headband with the bow and feather always make me imagine that I am some old time Hollywood glamour queen. I don’t even care if it looks ridiculous and a bit over the top. It makes me feel freaking fabulous! And these shoes…(another clearance item for under $10 from DSW). I love the delicate ankle strap and scalloped edges for creating a super feminine vibe. And the heel is high enough to elongate the legs but low enough to allow you to strut your stuff without looking like a giraffe on stilts.
I contemplated adding some shapewear under the dress because the sheath style is a bit more fitted than I normally wear, but then Melissa said, “To hell with shapewear, just rock your curves.” So I did. All of my curves. Even the ones that may prevent someone else from saying that I look like a million bucks. Well, to hell with those people, too. I feel like a million bucks in my red sheath dress with every curve and bulge and roll on display. And once you can grasp that concept…loving your body with all of its marvelous imperfections…you can feel like a million bucks in just about anything!
How to do you make yourself feel like a million bucks? Are you wearing the appropriate amount of confidence and smiles? Because sometimes that’s all it takes!
I owe a huge thank you to Sarissa Melissa Photography for helping me feel so fabulous! And also to Hair by Chantel and Anna’s Chop Shop Hair Studio for the beautiful hair and make up! You can see more photos from this session with Melissa here and here.
Please stay tuned this month as my article “The Midlife Sex Conundrum” will be featured with some more amazing photographs by Sarissa Marissa Photography in the Fall issue of Resilientista Magazine! Coming on September 22!
Be sure not to miss it by subscribing right here! It will be sent directly to your e-mail inbox.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
*I have no specific product links as everything I am wearing was purchased on super duper clearance! This is not a sponsored post.
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups
52 Comments
Laurie
You need to wear more Red Shelbee! Red hot mumma! You look stunning here xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Laurie! I do love a red dress!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar
Love it!! You look like a billion bucks!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw! Thanks so much, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kristin
I am always a fan of red and I LOVE going through the clearance racks at Kohl’s! This dress is totally proof that it is worth every second. Is it sad that one of the things I miss the most about living in the states is going crazy at clearance racks in my fave stores? You look fabulous in this dress! Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!
-Kristin
countdwntofridayblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kristin, thank you so much! And no, that’s not sad at all! Who doesn’t love peeling through clearance racks? It’s like the American dream! hahaha! I am enjoying my weekend, thank you!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sonia Aicha
I love the tittle of your post !! and that dress….definitely a catch 🙂 Really beautiful and so easy to wear in different ways and the fabric looks really great.
Sonia
http://www.soniaaicha.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Sonia! The fabric is really great! It is very substantial and will carry nicely into Fall with a jacket and tights.
xoxo
Shelbee
Bettye L. Rainwater
Right on, sister! You LOOK like a million bucks cuz I can tell you FEEL like a million bucks!!!
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Bettye, thanks so very much! It’s time we just embrace our curves and everything else in between!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
You look fantastic in that dress Shelbee, you have the joie de vivre to really rock that color!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Gail! That is the nicest compliment!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorena
You’re looking beautiful in red. Kohls never disappoints.
For me feeling like a million bucks is all about confidence as you say.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lorena, thank you so very much! It is about the confidence, for sure!
xoxo
Shelbee
Trina Morgan
You look beautiful shelbee! 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Trina!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kris
Red looks lovely on you! Loving the dress!
Have an awesome day!
xx Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kris, thank you so much! I am so glad I finally found a fabulous red dress!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
Shelbee this pictures are stunning! Wow! You look absolutely fabulous in this red dress. Roarrrr :))
Xo Tina
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Tina, thank you so much for this absolutely fabulous comment! You are so kind!
xoxo
Shelbee
jacqui
Wow you did get a bargain here! I do love a good deal, I’m always on the lookout for one. You also look great in this dress red really is your colour. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jacqui, thank you so much! I cannot resist a bargain! Especially when I had been on the hunt for a fabulous red dress!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
You’re looking fine, fierce, and feisty which is priceless in my book. You look fabulous in red and the dress is a classic that you’ll be wearing for years. I must now bow to the queen of bargain shopping. You get the crown 👑👑👑
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ah-ha! Rena, thank you so much! You totally just made me laugh out loud by crowning me as “the queen of bargain shopping”! I do love a great bargain, but I cannot claim queendom as I too often cannot resist a bargain and as such spend way more money than I should on accumulated bargains! But I do appreciate the lovely compliment and the “crown”!
xoxo
Shelbee
Aimee
Not sure if I like the dress more, the fabulous deal you got, the way your photo shoot pics came out, your confidence, the title, how you look in red, the feather, who knows. But I love the vibe and actually, mostly, all of these fabulous comments. You can feel the love. In the photos amd in the comments. And I love it all! #spreadthekindness
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It’s the feather, Aimee! It’s all in the feather! If you can wear a giant feather in your hair with confidence, you can conquer the world (I think, maybe)! You are too sweet, dear friend. And I love you tons! Thank you for all of your support…all of the time.
xoxo
Shelbee
Molly
I think you look amazing in these pictures and a red dress is always a good thing as far as I am concerned
Mollyx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Molly, thank you so very much! I agree that every girl needs a fabulous little red dress. As well as a stunning little black dress. A perfect little white dress. And an amazing little green dress! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have the most wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Samantha Blair
You are stunning here Shelbee!
Woweee….that dress is a smasher.
XXX
Samantha
http://www.fakefabulous.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Samantha, for this wonderfully kind comment! I do love this dress! Now I have to find somewhere special to wear it. I hope you are having a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emily
What a steal! This dress looks great on you!
Isn’t That Charming.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Emily, thank you so very much! I am a sucker for a good bargain! Especially when the dress is so great!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
Not only do you look like a million bucks, Shelbee—but you really are the most wonderful person on the inside too!!
And that dress??? Absolutely incredible!!
And thanks for linking up with the Ageless Style group!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jodie, thank you so much! I try to remain true to my inner child who was taught to always be kind! Sometimes, I fall short, but I really do try! Spread the Kindness! I appreciate the lovely compliment, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Susie
You look fabulous!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Susie, thank you so very much! I appreciate your kind words. Have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lazy Daisy Jones
hi shelbee
Red suits you so well
Thanks for joining our link up too!
bestest
Ashley x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ashley! I appreciate the comment! Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
Red is your color! That dress is such a great find and looks amazing on you!
Jill
Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jill, thank you so much! I have a serious color crush on red right now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mary
Looking fabulous in that red dress, Shelbee! Red is definitely your color! And what a steal!!!
Mary
http://marymurnane.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mary, thank you so very much for such a lovely compliment!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jamie Moore
You look amazing!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jamie, thank you so much! Have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole
Thanks for linking up to the Top of the World Style party. This is my favorite look of all your outfits so far. You look stunning in that LRD with fascinator.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nicole, thank you so much for this lovely compliment! This was definitely a fun dress to style! And I love my feather fascinator!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nistha Saraf
You look great, i love the color of the dress!
Nistha
https://www.fashionistha.com/welcoming-fall-in-a-knit-crop-top/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Nistha! I am definitely have a color crush on red right now! Have a fabulous week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire
Such a lovely dress. I love red. Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Claire! You definitely also wear red quite well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Judith
You do look like a million bucks in your gorgeous red dress! The black bow and feather headband (+ your confidence) are the perfect accessory and are such a great tie in with your black heels. Thank you for sharing with Hat Attack!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Judith! I am very partial to fascinators of any sort. I love the drama and intrigue they create!
xoxo
Shelbee