Holiday Looks On A Shoestring

In the coming weeks, the schedule may be busy with holiday parties to attend. If you are searching for the right outfit and don't want to spend a lot of money, the editors at Redbook have some great suggestions for you.

Beauty editor Cheryl Kramer offers amazing looks to put The Early Show's Rene Syler and Dave Price, as well as former "Survivors" Rupert Boneham and Kathy O'Brien, to the Chic on a Shoestring test. The winner was Rene Syler.

Romantic Date Night

Steal:
Green cocktail dress with gold details from rampage
Cost: $90
Available at: rampage.com
Old Navy gold clutch, $15
Ann Taylor loft gold heels, $69

Grand Total: $174

Splurge:
ABS green cocktail dress from Macy's, $185
Juicy Couture gold clutch from shopbop.com, $135
Gold heels by 12th Street from shopbop.com, $398

Grand Total: $718

What's the difference: There is more detailing on the ABS dress. The difference in the clutches comes down to the material: leather versus nylon.

Black Tie

This is a great look for the holidays and also winter weddings that call for black-tie dress.

Splurge:
Club Monaco black lace dress, $179
Sequin shrug by Generra from shopbop.com, $298
Flower pin heels from J. Crew, $268

Grand Total: $745

Steal:
Ann Taylor loft black lace dress, $99
Inc from Macy's sequin shrug, $89
Black velvet rhinestone shoes from Payless, $26

Grand Total: $214

What's the difference: There is more fabric on the Club Monaco dress. The material on the shrug is also better on the Generra shrug versus the one from Macy's.

Casual Party

Splurge:
Bokhee hot pink sequin cashmere sweater tunic from Bendel's, $288
Salt jeans, $150
Stuart Weitzman silver rhinestone strappy heels, $298

Grand total: $736

Steal:
Banana Republic hot pink beaded wool sweater tunic, $88
Old Navy jeans, $32.50
Colin Stuart strappy silver rhinestone heels from Victoria's Secret catalog, $62

Grand total: $182.50

What's the difference: The Salt jeans have better stitching and heavier denim. The expensive tunic is made of cashmere.