Ask Belle: Eight Work Dresses Under-$175

May 21, 2015

Dear Belle,

I just started my first “real job,” and while I’m really excited, I also can’t find dresses that I like. All the ones I find are either too short or look really cheap.  Can you help me find a few for work that cost under-$175?  My office is a little conservative, but not suits every day kind of conservative.  And I’d love to find some sleeved dresses.

Love your blog! Hilary

Dresses with sleeves–that aren’t too short or too tight–should be on every woman’s hit list.  A sleeved dress is the perfect solution to the “closet full of nothing to wear” because it’s one piece, and it doesn’t need much sprucing up.  Here are a few that caught my eye.

Snip20150520_68

Ava & Aiden Ponte V-Neck Dress ($69)

Snip20150520_63

Preston & York Aurelia Dress ($89)

15WSPR_BQ040_TUR

Boden Westminster Dress ($103, petite and tall)

Snip20150520_64

Limited Wrap Dress ($89)

Snip20150520_65

Antonio Melani Benny Dress ($159)

image1xxl-4

ASOS Roll Neck Pleated Dress ($91)

15WSPR_WH757_GRY

Boden Annie Dress ($126, petite and tall)

*I own this dress.  I love it.  It has a little slip in the skirt to keep it appropriate, and it is so comfy.

Snip20150520_67

Anne Klein Women’s Short Sleeve Dress ($129)

 Here are a couple of options for plus-size ladies.

_10252805

Julia Jordan Cap Sleeve Dress ($95)

*I know I put up this dress yesterday, but it’s so great, let’s go for twice.

Snip20150521_69

Jessica Howard 3/4 Sleeve Dress ($99)

Ask The Edit, Style

share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Addie says:

    Most of my favorite dresses, particularly the ones with sleeves, came from Dress Barn surprisingly enough. And all were between $40 and $60.

  2. SN says:

    Some pointers on tailoring would be helpful. Maybe a whole post.

  3. Curvy CEO says:

    These are all fab! I love, love, love dresses because you simply toss it on, add an accessory or two and you’re done!

  4. EAH says:

    The Boden Westminster dress is great I just bought it and wore it for the first time this week! It’s lined so its good for a well air conditioned office. Boden also has a lot of dress with sleeves; I like the Lindsey dress too.

    • Katherine says:

      2nd this — I’m way more comfortable in dresses than suits for work, and 95% of my work dresses are Boden (and the other 5% I WISH were Boden!)

  5. Amanda says:

    Lands End makes some great ponte dresses. Snag a couple when they’re have a sale for $35 a pop. So comfy, plus pockets! https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-sleeveless-ponte-sheath-dress-with-pockets/id_272080

  6. Erica says:

    What is your experience with the sizing for boden? I think a lot of their things are cute, but I can’t tell if they’ve fallen for the vanity sizing that so many American brands to now.

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Style | 2023/08/20

A Rebuild Update

Well, life was beautiful in blog redesign land, for a minute, anyway.  But not everything is running smoothly.

6

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

Happy Hour, Style | 2023/08/18

Happy Hour: Atlantic Beach Pie

There are two kinds of people in this world: People who eat cake on their birthdays and people who don’t.  And some of the weirdos in the latter category (I said what I said) eat pie as an alternative.  So if you’re a “birthday pie” eater with a late summer celebration coming up, may I […]

4

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Style | 2023/08/18

The Find: The Only Wire-Free Bra That Didn’t Fail Me

After Sloane was born, I developed a seething hatred for underwire bras.  The trouble was that I had also developed a larger, slightly droopier bust.  It was a cruel irony.

12

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Style | 2023/08/20

A Rebuild Update

Well, life was beautiful in blog redesign land, for a minute, anyway.  But not everything is running smoothly.

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

Happy Hour, Style | 2023/08/18

Happy Hour: Atlantic Beach Pie

There are two kinds of people in this world: People who eat cake on their birthdays and people who don’t.  And some of the weirdos in the latter category (I said what I said) eat pie as an alternative.  So if you’re a “birthday pie” eater with a late summer celebration coming up, may I […]

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Style | 2023/08/18

The Find: The Only Wire-Free Bra That Didn’t Fail Me

After Sloane was born, I developed a seething hatred for underwire bras.  The trouble was that I had also developed a larger, slightly droopier bust.  It was a cruel irony.

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

Style | 2023/08/16

The 2010s Trends I’m Loving and Leaving Behind

Our tween and teen nieces spent the first half of 2023 reviving our high school fashions.  From peasant tops to low rises, I felt like I was back bopping to N’SYNC in my mint-green sedan for a minute.  Now, our 20-something direct reports are bringing back the 2010s in a big way, and I am […]

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO