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It's tempting to go all out on a new party dress when you're shopping for holiday attire. The sequins! The shimmer! The playful silhouettes! With so many festive options at your fingertips, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that you might only wear said dress once, maybe twice. Unless, of course, you're like me and like to push the limit on the number of times you can wear a fun party dress (or any dress for that matter) sans suspicious up-and-down glances from onlookers who are wondering if they've already seen you in it.
Whether you're riddled with guilt when purchasing a party dress or routinely ask yourself if you can get away with wearing one multiple times, an affordable style like this POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress ($68) is my first recommended step. The next course of action — and this is something I always do when buying a new piece of clothing — is challenging yourself to think of at least three ways you can wear it, which is exactly what I did when I laid eyes on this polka-dot number.
With gently puffed sleeves, a smocked waist, and a midi length, this affordable party dress is more than on-trend for the season, but ultra-flattering, too. It's the kind of silhouette that makes you feel perfectly dressed up when paired with spirited accessories while being versatile enough to wear any day of the week throughout the year. But since we're primarily here to talk about holiday fashion, I'm showing you how I put this teal dress to the holiday test, styling it three different ways for three different parties on my December calendar.
Ahead, witness me wearing this Smocked Bodice Midi Dress from the newest POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's for an office party, at-home holiday gathering, and glamorous soiree (this look has all the razzle-dazzle elements I love for New Year's Eve!). Then, shop each of my looks head-to-toe, including my exact items as well as some affordable alternatives to please every budget. Wearing a party dress only once? So passé!