My Birthday Dress Cost Under $40

Source: @shamika_sanders / Instagram
The pressure of finding a birthday dress is always stressful for me. And this year, it was even more intense because I was on a tight budget and timeframe. I turned 37 this weekend and needed the perfect dress for my dinner party. The theme was 'In Bloom' and I needed something dramatic, but summer-friendly. I searched every site I've ever ordered from to try to find the perfect look, and I had waited until the week before my event, which means I had to also consider shipping times. And that narrowed my selection down to a few online sites. Cue my old faithful with the most reliable and efficient shipping times, FashionNova.
I was on the hunt for a sexy, flowy, but when I couldn't find that style in the size or colors I was committed to, hot pink and orange (my event colors), I decided I would have to pivot. That's when I found the Madelyn Draped Mini Dress ($32.99)— a strapless mini dress with floral print and train. Yasss! Give me the drama. After reading the reviews, I decided to pull the trigger and with three days 'til my party, I had to choose overnight shipping for an additional cost of $20. But it was so worth it because FashionNova hasn't failed me yet with their overnight option. And besides, as a top-heavy girl I wanted just those extra few days incase the dress didn't fit and I needed to go to a backup plan.
Fashion Nova Birthday Dress
I always struggle with choosing the right size because of my slim and busty frame, but thanks to reviews from customers who've purchased it before, I read it had a good amount of stretch, a zipper and the colors were more vibrant in-person. I made a bold decision and chose a Medium because it's strapless and I need the top to be tight to hold up the girls. It came like clockwork and I was beyond relieved when I tried it on and it fit!
Mini it was indeed, but the train added an elegance to it and like mentioned in the reviews, the photos did it no justice. The colors really popped and it had a generous stretch with boning in the bodice for extra support. If you're looking for the perfect budget-friendly Fashion Nova birthday dress that screams main character energy, look no further. The Madelyn Draped Mini Dress is currently on sale for $22.99.
Shop Now
SEE ALSO
My Birthday Dress Cost Under $40 was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
Black America Web Featured Video
CLOSE

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Cosmopolitan

an hour ago

• Cosmopolitan

Is America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 3 happening? From cast to suspected release date

If, like us, you've already finished America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season two, then you're probably wondering if and when the third season will be on Netflix to fill that Thunderstruck-shaped hole in your life. Given the success of seasons one and two of the show, which were released on 20 June 2024 and 18 June 2025 respectively, fans have got their fingers crossed that a third season will be on its way. Although, Netflix is yet to confirm (or deny) anything about the fate of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Regardless of that, our excitement levels for a third season are so high that we've scoured the internet to find everything we know about a possible third instalment. From cast to suspected release date, here's everything we know about America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season three... As mentioned, there's been no confirmation from Netflix on a third season of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but the team has already been posting a lot on their socials about the audition process for the coming year. That's because what we've seen on season two happened last year so, if Netflix does film a series three, it'll follow those currently competing in the audition and training camp process. If America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders does get renewed for a third season, there will be some familiar faces we can count on seeing, including DCC director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell. There may be a celebrity star too, if the group's Instagram is anything to go by – as singer, songwriter, and musician Kacey Musgraves has been involved in the training camp process as a guest judge. In terms of who will (or won't) make the cheerleading team in season three, there's been some spoilers shared on social media which point to who we can expect to see. On the official DCC Instagram, zooming into the above training camp post gives us a good idea of the returning cast who have made it through to this round, while a post about the 'rookies' of the season introduces us to newer faces. As well as the veterans who retired at the end of season two (those being Chandi, Jada, Armani, Zoe, and Amanda), some other cast mates are missing from the promo shot above. While we know that fan-favourite Dayton auditioned again this season, given that she's missing from the training camp image, we can assume she was cut. Taking to social media to comment on a fan's post about just that, she commented: "It wasn't in the cards for me, but I'm proud of how much I've grown. I feel it's important to note I did EVERYTHING they asked of me and tried my absolute best to fit their mould. I'm not wanted there and I'm hoping this takes me to where I truly belong!" Again, there's been no confirmation that an America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season three is definitely happening but, if it does, we guess it'll be released in June 2026, based on the release pattern of seasons one and two. Until then, we'll be busy rewatching both seasons, catching old episodes of Making The Team, and following all the cast members on social media. Stream all episodes of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders seasons one and two on Netflix now.

New York Times

an hour ago

• New York Times

What Katie Sturino Wants You to Know About Her Body (and Yours, Too)

Katie Sturino is not a black swimsuit type of gal. As she wandered the racks at Bergdorf Goodman on a Thursday afternoon in late May, she wore a floral silk muumuu and a striped sweater, a bright green Hermès bag with candy-colored purse charms slung across her arm. She grabbed a stack of bathing suits — patterns, colors, a baby blue tweed bikini with buttons at the waist — and asked a sales associate hovering nearby if she could please grab them in the largest size the store has. The associate eventually returned without the requested models, instead proffering up a scant handful of shirred, red one-piece options, adding, unasked, that they came in navy and black, too. They were too small, but Ms. Sturino politely tried one on anyway. It fit, if fitting means technically being able to pull a garment over one's body. Ms. Sturino was unfazed, taking out her phone to snap a mirror selfie of the pair of us in matching vermilion Lycra. It's a scene that's played out dozens of times — both in her private life and in the videos she regularly broadcasts to more than 800,000 followers on Instagram: Ms. Sturino searching for clothes that fit her in major retailers, trying on a too-small option, and documenting the result. It's also a scene that unfolds in the opening pages of her first novel, 'Sunny Side Up,' out on Tuesday. The book tells the story of a dog-obsessed public relations pro turned body-positivity influencer slash entrepreneur who built a social media audience by posting candidly about her life. The protagonist's biography bears a close resemblance to that of Ms. Sturino — a dog-obsessed public relations pro turned body-positivity influencer slash entrepreneur who built a social media audience by posting candidly about her life. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Yahoo

9 hours ago

• Yahoo

Bianca Censori's Lookalike Sister Angelina Flaunts Body in Itty-Bitty String Bikini

Bianca Censori's Lookalike Sister Angelina Flaunts Body in Itty-Bitty String Bikini originally appeared on Parade. 's lookalike sister, , flaunted her body while rocking an itty-bitty string bikini in new photos. On Wednesday, June 18, the Australian model, 21, took to Instagram with a carousel of pictures—but a few snaps in particular caught followers' attention. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "The simple life," Angelina captioned her update, tagging the location as Mallorca, Spain. In the featured image, she included a gorgeous shot of the sunrise over water. The very next photo, however, showed Angelina wearing a silver two-piece swimsuit while posing on the steps of a swimming pool. Another snap showed her wearing black bikini bottoms and seemingly no top, although she covered her chest with a towel. Later in the update, Angelina added a different shot of her in the original, metallic bikini. Check out all of the head-turning photos here! In the comments, one Instagram user declared the pics were "unreal," as another called Angelina "a literal princess." Someone else wrote, "Gorgeous," as a fourth said she was a "baddie." Yet another fan commented, "Vibes that you bring are immaculate." Recently, Angelina rocked a sheer look that left little to the imagination. She also dropped jaws in a see-through dress. Bianca, 30, meanwhile, recently dropped jaws in a barely-there tan bodysuit. Next: Bianca Censori's Lookalike Sister Angelina Flaunts Body in Itty-Bitty String Bikini first appeared on Parade on Jun 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.