20 Holiday Dresses under $100.00 (Including Gorgeous Plus Sizes!)

I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to pull out of my closet is a ghost of Christmas parties past. Not only have I moved on, but fashion has too! What I have found is that, whether I want them to or not, my old clothing carries history.

I resisted this idea at first. At first, I wanted to conserve everything: the clothes, shoes, bed, bed linens, furniture and china. I didn’t do this as a way to “hang on.” At least I don’t think that was it. Rather, I saw it as practical and perfectly sensible. Why get rid of a perfectly good pair of velvet pants or a cute pair of festive heels? Why get rid of a great mattress? I liked my stuff. Why buy new?

But, almost four years out from my initial separation, I look around me and see almost nothing left of my original “stuff.” How did this happen? I think along the way I came to see that while I am a whole and integrated person, I, in fact, had an old life and now live a new life. Quite suddenly, reincarnation made a whole lotta sense.

If not technically reincarnated, we divorced moms are reinventing ourselves in many ways, including how we present ourselves. However, it’s one thing to want to replace the old with the new and quite another to fork out all the money necessary to reinvigorate an entire wardrobe. For most of us, money is an issue and this would suggest that we be mindful of how we spend as we create our beautiful new lives.

If you (a) are lucky enough to not have been immediately crossed off all party lists by fair-weather married friends, (b) decisive enough to accept any holiday party invitations that come your way, and (c) brave enough to actually attend, then you might find yourself in front of your closet wondering what to do come party time because there is absolutely nothing in there that you want to wear.

Thankfully, we live in the time of online shopping. The internet puts the world at our fingertips and therefore a whole slew of bargains. I looked around at what’s out there for this holiday season and here is some of what I found:

1. In keeping with the popularity of clean geometric patterns, Modcloth offers this dazzling gold chevron dress with simple lines (Chevron from Modcloth)

2. This shimmery dress with bring out your inner shimmer. And anything with the word bioluminescence in it deserves a look. (Bioluminescence Dress from Modcloth)

3. This mod shift is for those of you who want something cheery and cute but not the moth-eaten velvets, traditional forest greens or berry reds of yore. (Fresh and Clean Crepe Shift from Nordstrom)

4. Run to get this one if you like it! It is brand new on Modcloth and the best dresses are snatched up quickly. I love the neckline. (Sultry Shift by Sugarhill Boutique)

5. Seriously? Beaded satin for $49. So cute! (Beaded Satin Dress from Joefresh)

6. Hurrah! A stylish dress that allows you to try things from the buffet! (Sparkly Velvet Shift from Joefresh)

7. Honestly. This is adorable for $24.60 (Metallic Brocade from Mikkat Market)

8. If it would just make your day to get a designer dress at deep discount, then happy holidays my dear. (BCBG Sale Dress)

9. The basic black. Very flattering lines. (Little Black Sheath from Kamalikulture)

10. This dress will take you well beyond the holidays and might stick around for a few years, so worthy of investment. Plus those stretchy dresses come in so handy for travel or for actually being able to digest your food if you eat at a party. (Dress It Up or Down Dress from JJill)

11. I love this dress. It is green enough to evoke fir trees but stylish enough to carry you throughout all but the hottest seasons. (Modern Green Velvet from Modcloth)

12. If you want to veer toward winter whites and gossamer wings, then this discounted Ralph Lauren dress might do it. (RL White Satin)

13. If you only wear black, brown, navy and gray, maybe try something semi-bright like this red sweater dress just once. The style of it is so practical that maybe you can justify the frivolity of a frock that doesn’t look like you are in constant mourning. I say all this with love and the desire to add color to our collective world. Ask your son or daughter what they think. They, too, might like you to wear color. Plus, you could you could wear it with your black coat, or maybe your black shoes? ( Red Sweater Dress from JJill)

14. Nice maxi in gorgeous color! (Teal Maxi Dress)

15. A red maxi that looks cute and comfortable, which is underrated in fashion don’t you think? (Red Maxi from Zappos)

Plus Size:

These next five are for you gorgeous plus size, would-be models! Let your inner goddess emerge to take its rightful place in the spotlight:

16. I love this! You must get it and then send a picture of yourself back to me or divorcedmoms.com. Someone out there has to get this one and then go have fun in it. (Goddess of the Night Black One-Shoulder)

17. This dress manages to combine red, satin, netting, sheath and sexy all in one dress. Go for it. (Red Satin Sheath )

18. Adorable mod, clean, hip thing. This could be worn as holiday but take you much further than that, so good investment. (Swirly Black and White)

19. This fuchsia jewel tone dress is feminine and great if you want something stunning but not overly holiday à laNorman Rockwell. (Fuchsia Gauzy Dress)