It wouldn't happen on the red carpet: The $50 striped dress Hollywood can't get enough of

By DEBBIE EMERY



Bargain must-have: Avatar star Zoe Saldana was one of the latest celebrities to slip into the striped jersey dress on August 9



Hollywood fashionistas aren't known for eyeing a bargain but if you think Kate Middleton's shopping habits have been cheap recently, check out the dress that has been whipping celebrities into a whirlwind of excitement without breaking the bank.



While the Duchess of Cambridge was heralded for putting Zara and Reiss dresses in the royal spotlight, Hollywood stars including Zoe Saldana and Emmy Rossum can't get enough of this dress from Express that costs less than $50.











The thigh-skimming nautical number is a simple striped design but has transformed into a summer must-have after Zoe, Emmy and Amanda Seyfried and Olivia Munn have all been spotted out in exactly the same item.



Fashion website Stylelist.com first noticed the craze for the bargain dress when Zoe Saldana and Emmy Rossum both stepped out in it on August 9.



The Avatar star created a sophisticated style by adding a brown belt and cross-over purse, while Emmy was all about casual summer fun in a straw hat and flip flops.





Sell out: The $49.90 dress from Express is flying off shelves in the U.S.





The pair weren't the first celebrities to pick up the $49.90 three-quarter sleeve dress from the high street store, English actress Amanda Seyfried wore it while shooting in Greenwich, Connecticut on August 3.



Iron 2 star Olivia Munn took the casual jersey dress to new heights when she paired it with high-heeled suede boots to walk the red carpet at the DoSomething.org and Staples Teen Choice Awards After Party held at The Gibson Amphitheatre on July 8.





Maternity: Pregnant Mad men star January Jones used the stretchy dress to cover her ever-growing baby bump on July 22





For shoppers outside of America, the dress can be bought at Express.com.

Along with the popular red and navy colour combination, it is also available in classic black and white.



With the all the attention the flexible fashion item is getting thanks to it's celebrity fan following, it is sure to be flying off shelves and selling out across the country in no time.





source: dailymail