Cupcakes and Cashmere

Crave or Save

May 11th, 2010

The LBD gets far too much praise in my book.  Sure it’s just about the safest way to ensure that you’ll look sleek, sophisticated and slim, but it’s also predictable beyond belief.  Enter the long, white dress.  If you have any hint of a tan (via lotion, of course), it’s such a subtle way to highlight your skin and let your face be the focal point.  When I saw this Red Valentino maxi number on Net-a-Porter.com, I immediately started envisioning the long tangle of chains I’d throw around my neck and the jeweled sandals that would complement it perfectly.  My plans were immediately shattered as soon as I caught a glimpse of the price, but I happily shifted my attention towards Topshop’s similar lace dress.

What’s your take – is this a crave or save situation?

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  • http://www.thegourmettraveller.blogspot.com Jaime

    Loove that topshop dress! I might just have to duck down there!

  • http://www.carmenyee.com carmen

    ooh definitely a save! i love the top shop dress!

    http://www.carmenyee.com

  • http://www.looksandbooks.com Jill

    Oh how I long for a tan so I could wear white summer dresses! That being said, I agree that the Topshop version is just as pretty and would be more versatile than the Valentino. Who can kick around the beach in a $995 dress?

  • http://lkj.tumblr.com Laura

    Those dresses are both fabulous and absolutely beautiful! I loooooove long dresses…but especially white ones too! The Topshop dress looks just as good as the Valentino one…so, go with that! :)

  • Kaley

    Love the Valentino dress but love the price of Topshop. Save! Some fabulous accessories will bring life to the Topshop dress.

    http://whattowearhowtowearit.blogspot.com/

  • http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/ Mary

    Save save save!
    xxMK

  • http://greenink5.blogspot.com/ Hilary

    Love both of them! The Valentino unfortunately is the cuter of the two but not worth that price tag!! Like most said, I’d rather spend that money on a fabulous accessory liiikkkeee the Alexa bag! Thats where I’m spending my next $900+ not on a white dress! :)

    Please check out my blog I just started :) http://greenink5.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.scandinavianchic.com Dagny @ Scandinavian Chic

    Couldn’t agree more! Love both of the white dresses! I’ve actually launched the LCD (Little Colorful Dress) as a chic alternative (it’s a regular column in my blog, tagged LCD)

    xoxo
    dagny

  • http://www.estiloproprio.wordpress.com Roberta

    Hi, I linked you in my blog. I like somethings I saw here

  • http://styleyoustylemestylish.blogspot.com/ Sara_styleyou.styleme.Stylish!

    Valentino is the best! They are not comparable at all! The only thing is that not everyone has more than 900 dollars (I don’t), so let’s go for the other… Anyway I’m not crazy for both of them.
    Sara C.

  • http://ShopItToMe.com Natalie

    Save, save, save! They’re both gorgeous, but they look pretty similar…gotta love Topshop

  • http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com Rachel (heart of light)

    Have to admit I like the Valentino better. But it’s a lot of money for a dress you might not wear year after year. Tough call.

  • http://anotherfishinthesea.wordpress.com Beth

    I loooooove them both, but this would definitely be a save situation for me!!

  • http://asequindressatbreakfast.wordpress.com ks

    save save! and put the rest of the money towards a vacation :)

    http://asequindressatbreakfast.wordpress.com

  • http://www.trestippy.com tippy

    definitely save! as much as i love white dresses, my messy self could never justify having one just to wear in the summer :)

  • http://thebeautyfile.blogspot.com thebeautyfile

    The first time I spill chocolate ice cream on the Valentino would be the last time I could ever spend that much on an article of clothing. I’m sure I’d spill it on the other one too, but it would be less traumatic.

  • http://laineyturnsthecameraon.blogspot.com Lainey

    Total save situation. The topshop one is actually prettier than the Valentino in all honesty.

  • http://royaandthemachine.blogspot.com/ Roya

    DEF a save.

  • http://jaclynclaire.wordpress.com Jaclyn @ jaclynclaire.com

    The Valentino is gorgeous, but definitely save. Especially since it’s not really a “wear year round” dress in my book, like the LBD can be.

  • http://lucylaucht.blogspot.com lucy

    Save! White dresses spell disater for stains. Imagine dropping food down a Valentino number! Lucy Laucht

  • http://hiyaluv.blogspot.com hiyaluv

    Love the white dresses and I like that you gave a high dollar option and a more affordable one…although I would want the high dollar option because of the bow!
    smiles,
    gina

  • Alex

    SAVE! There are so many good-looking inexpensive white lace dresses out there =]

  • http://dressesforbreakfast.com Alexandra | Dresses For Breakfast

    LOVE the Valentino and I’m sure it is so incredibly gorgeous in real life….the stripe detail makes it. But, for a white dress, I’d go with the save option.

    Now you have me hunting for white dresses… :)
    Alexandra
    http://dressesforbreakfast.com

  • http://www.atasteoft.com Tanya

    Save the dress looks amazing

  • Meghan

    SAVEEEEEEEEEEEE

  • Josie George

    The little black dress always looked better in white. -Bill Blass

    :)

  • http://battlingthedinosaurs.wordpress.com Linda

    SAVE

  • http://www.bargainbex.blogspot.com/ bargain bex

    a definite save, save, SAVE situation!

  • http://sweatshirtdressshirt.blogspot.com/ SWEATshirt/DRESSshirt

    what’s better than finding a replica of something you really want…that is WAY cheaper? both of these dresses are extremely gorgeous. however, i would have to agree with you on the first one being way too expensive. great job finding the second one. great dress, great store!

    xoxo
    http://sweatshirtdressshirt.blogspot.com/

  • http://bigsizeonasmallbudget.blogspot.com/ C

    I would go save. They are too similar to justify the difference

    http://bigsizeonasmallbudget.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.raindropsofsapphire.wordpress.com Lorna

    I think I prefer the Valentino as it’s lighter and more white but the price tag is way too high so I would happily settle for the Topshop one. Are you buying it? It would look so good on you! :D

    http://www.raindropsofsapphire.wordpress.com

  • http://milknosugarblog.blogspot.com/ Carly Florence

    haha- i actually prefer the topshop one, the valentino’s too formal :P
    proof that expensive doesnt always have to mean better.

  • http://littleblogofstyle little blog of style

    I totally would go for the Topshop version. Not the kind of item to splurge on.

  • http://daswhatshesaid.blogspot.com/ Mikaela

    Save!
    And to save more, check out the $15 version at old navy: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=26519&vid=0&pid=752952&scid=752952012

    And feel free to browse my bloggy blog:
    http://daswhatshesaid.blogspot.com/

  • Melissa

    Save, save, save. Seems that most people are going with this option as well, and if you’re leaning more towards the Valentino because of the bow, why not get your crafty fingers flowing and add some mods to the top shelf version!

  • http://whatiworetiptotoe.blogspot.com Brea Ellis

    Love your Crave or Save posts…keep em coming!

    I’m nominating you for The Sunshine Award because your blog is Positive and Creative…just like you!

    http://whatiworetiptotoe.blogspot.com/2010/05/shower-people-you-love-with-love.html

  • http://annaemilee.blogspot.com/ Anna

    The TopShop dress is so much cuter!

  • http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com Josie

    This look would so require some serious Jergen’s for me but I do love it. What a fab find — I love Valentino but must say that Topshop version is super cute.
    xxoo Josie
    http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

  • http://www.bellinisoiree.com Talia

    lovelove white, long, flowing dresses! I must say for those of you living in LA, do run over to the east side and check out Squaresville- on Vermont in los feliz- Such a fab thrift shop. Just picked up lots of floral items, long white dress, and acid washed shorts today for stunning prices :)

    http://www.bellinisoiree.com

  • http://glamirrorous.com Sandra

    I would spend the 900$ I saved, because I bought the Topshop dress on shoes, jewelry like a necklace, earrings and rings, and a pretty bag to wear them together with the dress!

    xoxo Sandra
    http://glamirrorous.com

  • Eunice

    I just got the topshop one in the mail yesterday. Warning, it’s 100 percent unlined and see-through!

  • http://vwww.martchristianlouboutin.com/ Christian louboutin

    Thanks very much for sharing. It is quite useful.

  • strbuck4

    i bought this from old navy http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=15292&vid=1&pid=730508&scid=730508012 love it! its so cute. and you save even more :)