Poshbot

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.

Phillip Lim has a knack for dressing girls in an unstudied yet chic style. His looks are perfectly put together but never seem as if they’re so polished that you can’t just throw on a 3.1 frock and dash out the door. Lim’s strength has always been in his dresses and for Spring 2008, he sent out goddess-like evening looks as well as stylish shifts and minis. Neutrals were punched up by a bit of yellow, red, or blue. I loved his pairing of a tomato red motorcycle jacket over a white flutter dress. Even the simplest thing in a woman’s closet – the LBD – benefited from great detailing. A black minidress bore a stiffly accordioned ruffle at the hem, another minidress featured gold embellishment down the bodice, while a knee length shift took swingy fringe around the neckline and down its deep armholes.