Peter Soronen dress from Rent the Runway

After the holidays, I’m always a little cash-strapped and I end up scrounging around the back of my closet trying to revive an old dress to wear out to all the New Year’s Eve parties.

But this year, I have the solution: a designer dress from Rent the Runway.

Rent the Runway lets you borrow dresses for a nominal fee starting at $50 and keep the dress up to 8 days. When you’re done, just mail it back. How simple is that?

New Year’s Eve is all about sparkle and shine and Rent the Runway has plenty of sparkly little cocktail numbers. A gorgeous champagne bubble of a dress by Lela Rose can be yours for $150 ($1,595 retail) and a sequined Tracy Reese dress that retails for $495 can be rented for just $50.

It’s not too late to rent your New Year’s Eve dress from Rent the Runway. Shipping only takes 2-3 days and lucky NYC residents can get same day delivery.

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Zoe Saldana in Roland Mouret @ the Avatar movie premiere in London

I once had a cat who fell in love with a silver Christmas ornament. She would sit in front of the tree and stare at her reflection in this glittering holiday ball. Then she would reach out her little paw, swat at it and go racing around the room when the shimmering ball moved. It was the best thing next to catnip.

That’s how I feel about Zoe Saldana in this Roland Mouret dress.

The Avatar star and Star Trek alum looked positively futuristic in a body-skimming gown with origami-esque shoulder embellishments. She topped off her sparkling, silver dress with more sparkling jewelry, pairing a double-strand necklace with a globe ring.

Dress: Roland Mouret

A lot of editors would tell you to splurge on key pieces (a timeless bag, high-quality shoes) so that you can mix high-low and save on the rest of your wardrobe; but today, I’m going to flip that concept on its ear.

Splurge on the dress, save on the accessories.

Emmy Rossum wore this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress ($525) to the designer’s store opening in Los Angeles. There’s really no substitution for a perfect Phillip Lim dresses, so spend that stimulus check on it now or watch and wait until it goes on sale.

You can easily re-create this look with a few basic black accessories that don’t break the bank.

If you don’t already have a pair of black, peep-toes in your shoe collection (and really, you should), nab this pair of Jessica Simpson Donora pumps ($89) with the sassy bow on the toe.

The wide belt is what really pulls this look together. A Rough Roses braided belt
($68) with a wide double buckle will give you a lovely cinched waist and tie in your all-black accessories.

Pile on three black beaded bracelets like the gold-accented Orka Mesica friendship bracelets ($130) or try these black bead bracelets with turquoise accents from Forever 21 for $3.80.

Corey Lynn Calter Doll Rooster Dress @ Pink Mascara

Sometimes I like a little kitsch in my clothes and this Corey Lynn Calter Doll Rooster Dress (only $174) is just the kind of quirky day dress that makes me smile.

It’s perfect for spring (pair it with gladiators!) and does animal print in a whole new way. The neckline is modest, but the 3/4-length shows off your great gams. Red scalloping on the cap sleeves and hem give the dress a little country chic even for city girls. Find this Corey Lynn Calter dress and other sale dresses at Pink Mascara

Paz Vega and Tracee Ellis Ross both mined their closets for Prada to wear to the premiere of Trembled Blossoms, the design house’s first animated short film.

Paz Vega gave us glossy Hollywood glamour in an emerald green Prada sheath dress and slingback sandals while Tracee Ellis Ross stuck to her quirky chic style with full plaid skirt and a pair of Prada pumps with spats.

You can go green too in these fresh spring dresses:

Splurge on one very special Prada dress for the season. This 3/4 length dress is perfect for warm evenings when you need to kick your look up with a plunging neckline, gemstone color and gorgeous draping detail [$1,074 at Yoox]

Get clingy with a curve-accentuating dress from Just Cavalli. This sleeveless dress creates a sexy shape with a draped neckline covered in tulle. [$402 at Yoox]

Diane von Furstenberg reinvents the wrap dress again with green snakeskin print on an easy, breezy spring dress. Pair it with a chunky wood heel and let it take you from a dinner with friends to a gallery crawl. [$254 at Yoox]

I still remember my first Easter dress. It was yellow with scalloped edges and I had frilly white socks and brand new patent leather shoes. Someone should have known right then that they were creating a fashion addict.

I’ve since grown out of the frilly sock phase and I haven’t had an Easter Dress since I was about 12.

But what exactly is the cut-off age for Easter dresses?

If fully grown fashionistas are allowed an Easter dress, I’ll choose this peachy one-shoulder brocade dress from Tracy Reese Plenty ($198).

The shoulder-baring dress is demure yet sweet and lets you get to show off just a little bit of skin for spring. I think the peachy color works with a lot of different skin types, but the bow is the best part. So flirty!

Pair it with sexy slingback sandals and you’ll be hunting for more than just Easter eggs.

Geren Ford lace collar black dress

Party dresses are not for fading into the woodwork and this little black dress by Geren Ford simply won’t let you. Geren Ford’s lace collar black dress takes a wardrobe staple and turns it on its flirtatious ear. The plunging, lace adorned neckline flatters your best assets while the just above the knee length look makes it sassy and classy.

Make it more street and less sweet with a pair of black tights and leather boots like the model above or slip on a strappy pair of slingbacks. Geren Ford’s LBD is a real style steal at only $159 (52% off the original price) at Singer22.

M Missoni print dress

I always have a problem finding great dresses to wear for winter. Can’t wear anything sleeveless because your arms will freeze. Can’t wear anything too short because your legs will turn into stubby little icicles. Can’t wear anything too sheer or lightweight because the rest of your bits will get frostbite.

M Missoni is the (slightly) less expensive diffusion line from the house of Missoni, famous for their zig-zag prints. Now I know $495 is far from inexpensive in most people’s budgets, but I absolutely adore Missoni and it’s one of the designers that I would absolutely save my pennies for so that I can splurge on a piece.

This long-sleeve turtleneck dress is perfect for the fall and winter months. It’s a cold-weather appropriate knit with a classic Missoni chevron print in berry colors. The wool blend hugs your body and creates a sexy shape that is perfect for girls who love their curves.

Column dresses are made for grand entrances. Wear this Karen Zambos cowl neck dressto a holiday party where you’re sure to see that ex who threw you over for another chick and float down the stairs serving pure bitchitude.

Gold Karen Zambos cowl neck dress from Couture Candy $429