In search of…Pencil Dresses for Spring

Apr 2, 2013

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Beautiful Bow Dress ($148)

During the spring and summer months, my work uniform consists of pencil dresses in various shapes, fabrics and colors.  This dress from Boden caught my eye.  It comes in several lovely colors (the Kelly green is my favorite, but the navy is a versatile neutral).  It would benefit from the addition of a belt, and you could add a cardigan or a blazer for more coverage.

While I love the green dress due to the detail on the bodice, my preference tilts heavily towards dresses with sleeves.  This punchy pink DvF dress is lovely (it also comes in teal).  I also like this color block dress from Rachel Roy and this awesome Karen Millen dress. In the under-$100 category, I found this white pencil dress and this navy dress.

Long sleeve dresses can be worn in all but the hottest of the summer months, so I like to invest in a few of those too.  I found this fiscally responsible navy dress that comes in a structural shape.  This Kay Unger abstract print dress is definitely different.  And I also like this dress with elbow-length sleeves from Reiss.

But when I think of sleek pencil dresses, the first thing that pops into my mind are dresses from Black Halo.  I love them.  I save up to buy them.  I watch them like a hawk hoping that they go on sale.  My current favorites are the Keyton Peplum in orange, the Paneled Dress in iris and the long sleeve Jackie dress in whichever color you choose (I have it in navy.).

If you’re looking for a pencil dress made in plus sizes, I like this printed jersey dress and this simple black number.  Petite ladies should take a look at this ASOS square neck dress and this origami-pleated BCBG.

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  1. Anon says:

    This may be my favorite post of the year! Pants don’t fit my body well, so I LIVE in dresses and skirts. Thanks for introducing me to brands I’m not familiar with.

    I’m surprised to see J.Crew isn’t on this list. I have the short-sleeved Memo dress in 3 colors. Combining coupons, sales and ebates, I can regularly score it for about half off ($96). I also have the cap-sleeved Origami dress.

    And not a pencil dress, but this long-sleeve dress is FABULOUS for easy workdays. Doesn’t cling and looks great. And $30? I have it in 3 colors, as well! (Hey, if it’s a great item, I buy multiples. I really don’t think most people notice, do you?)

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