What steps does Madame Loisel take to dress for the party in a way she feels is appropriate?

In Guy De Maupassant's short story "The Necklace," Madame Loisel does many things to dress for the ball in the way she deems appropriate.
First, she negotiates with her husband on what amount of money should be used to purchase a dress for the event. Initially, she refuses to go because she has nothing to wear. Here is a quote from their conversation:

"She thought for a moment, computing the cost, and also wondering what amount she could ask for without an immediate refusal and an alarmed exclamation from the thrifty clerk.
At last she answered hesitantly:
'I don't know exactly, but I think I could do it with four hundred francs.'
He turned a little pale, because he had been saving that exact amount to buy a gun and treat himself to a hunting trip the following summer, in the country near Nanterre, with a few friends who went lark-shooting there on Sundays.
However, he said:
'Very well, I can give you four hundred francs. But try and get a really beautiful dress.'"

Next, she visits a childhood friend whom she had avoided because the friend is rich and Madame Loisel suffered from jealousy when she was around her. Her friend, Madame Forestier, agrees to lend her some jewels for the event. She looks through Madame Forestier's collection and is still dissatisfied. She asks Madame Forestier if she has anything else. She finds a diamond necklace in a black satin box and asks if Madame Forestier will lend it to her. Madame Forestier agrees. Finally, after securing a dress she deems suitable, and a beautiful necklace, Madame Loisel is satisfied, for a while. She attends the party, and everyone is charmed by her beauty and grace.