Ask Belle: Black-and-White Print Dresses

Aug 4, 2014

Dear Belle,

I’m searching for a black and white printed dress for work.  A structured sheath is my preferred cut, but any dress with sleeves will do. I need to spend less than $150.  Thank you for your help!

~Sam

A black-and-white print dress can be a trendy piece or a classic.  You can wear it with color or with other neutrals.  So let me show you my favorite piece that I found while searching:

9826852-420

Ellen Tracy Dot Print Dress ($65)

I adore this dress.  It has a shape that will be flattering to the waist and a great print.  You can dress it up with black pumps or dress it down with coral flats.

Printed cap-sleeve dresses are everywhere this season.  This Calvin Klein dress has a high-waist and an ikat print.  This Chaus dress has a flattering knot-detail in a small print.  This R&K Originals dress has a mirrored Baroque print.

Prefer short sleeves?  This Pim + Larkin dress has a geometric-ikat print.

I also found a few dresses with long or 3/4-length sleeves.  This Badgley Mischka animal-print dress is a nice option.  I also like this Calvin Klein dress with a mixed-size print.

Don’t need sleeves?  This Worthington dress with a drape neck and gradient-dot print is amazing.

Plus-size ladies should look at this Adrianna Papell dress with an elbow-length sleeve, and this Gabby Skye sheath.  Petite ladies should try this Eliza J faux-wrap dress is lovely.

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  1. ec says:

    Does anyone have experience with Ellen Tracy sizing? The size charts on Macy’s website look really off….a size XS/0 is closer to a standard large in most other brands. I don’t think it’s a plus-size listing either.

  2. Stephanie says:

    OMG ec thank you for pointing this out!!! I was all set to order, excited that I had a coupon code. My waist is literally more than 10 inches too small for the xs. WTF?

  3. kat says:

    Talbot has some really cute black and white print career dresses on sale from $180 to $75. I bought the iMac one, and it’s super flattering.

    http://Www.yousaucyminx.com

  4. Joules says:

    That dot print dress is perfection.

    Style by Joules

  5. I have the Ellen Tracy dress in another print, and I love it. I am a 12/14 (true hourglass, + large chest) in most brands, and I found that the 12 was perfect on me. That said, I bought my dress from Amazon or 6pm.com, so it may have been an off run?

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