$795 dress or not? What to do?

Dear Aden (ask@askaden.com)

I am 21 and have some extra money my parents sent me for the Holidays. There is this dress I really want at Neiman Marcus but it is $795. If I get that and a pair of shoes I will have nothing left over for anything else what should I do?
- Kristin

Dear Kristin,

Pass on the dress, invest the money in nice shoes and a nice bag. You can get a very similar looking dress for a tenth of the cost and everyone will focus on your shoes and purse and won’t care what care what brand your dress is. If your budget is fixed its always better to buy quality shoes and bags as they will always be in style no matter what season or year. A dress from Forever 21 matched with a nice pair of shoes will look just as hot!
-A.