NSOR: Work-appropriate dresses

UDscoobychick

So, I would like to get some work-appropriate dresses for the summer.  Most people in my office wear dress pants and button-down shirts--no ties or suit jackets unless they have to meet with a client.  Fridays are more casual--you can wear jeans.  I usually wear a suit to work M-R because I'm young and new and want to be taken seriously, so I feel like I have to step my game up more than the norm because of it.  I do wear jeans on Fridays.  So, that's the context of what's appropriate at my office.

I tend to gravitate toward flowy materials for dresses, and I feel like that's not very work-appropriate, so I'm having a hard time knowing what dresses are work-appropriate.  I have a lack of curves, so something that emphasizes my natural waist is good (not empire or dropped waist or princess-seamed).  Halp!  What does SO think?  Where do you buy dresses for work?  What styles do you recommend?  (Prices <$100, please!)

rakattack

New York and Co. has some really cute dresses out right now.  I just got this one in a pretty royal blue and cream flower print-

 http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/Apparel/Dress-Boutique/Matte-Jersey-Wrap-Dress

I don't see the print online, I got the dress in the store.  I got another one, too, that I don't see online.

expectingnothing

I'd look at Ann Taylor, Loft, and Talbots.

deedlebear

i have several of the patagonia and prana dresses from REI and adore them.  I usually wear a cardigan on top to make it a little more work appropriate and then ditch that when i leave work.  i just wore the patagonia margot dress this week and got about 6 compliments from co workers.  i have it in 4 different colors

http://www.rei.com/search?cat=4500361&cat=4501824&hist=cat%2C4500361%3ASkirts+and+Dresses%5Ecat%2C4501824%3AWomen%27s+Dresses

 

KatiesCats

I love wrap dresses; I think they're universally flattering.  I can always find a good dress or two at H&M.  I have one from Ann Taylor too.

kippersophie

Target has some cute dresses now, under 30 I think?

There's a "wear to work" section on their site -
http://www.target.com/c/women-clothing-dresses/-/N-5xtcg#navigation=true&viewType=large&sortBy=bestselling&minPrice=from&maxPrice=to&isleaf=true&navigationPath=5xtcg&parentCategoryId=9975766&facetedValue=/-/N-5xtcgZ5xvhu&RatingFacet=0 -

the pregnant girl in our office wears all kinds of cute dresses from Targ.

MintChocoChip

I also like wrap dresses. I just got a jersey dress at Old Navy with a tie that is great for work. I like things that I can put a cardigan over too because I get cold when my legs are bare. 

Banana Republic has good dresses too, and a lot of their stuff isn't too "work like" so you won't look like you're dressed for the office if you wear it outside of work.  

UDscoobychick

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies!  Jersey dresses aren't too casual for the office?  I guess I always thought of something more like a shirt dress, but I tried one of those on and looked like a beast because of my broad shoulders.

marigoldgirl44

I think shift dresses are great for work and you can belt it to define your waist.

achase123

I love Calvin Klein dresses.  Here's some that are for sale on ideeli.com

 http://www.ideeli.com/events/88142/latest_view

I like Jersey dresses and wrap dresses.

DakotaDangerDog

http://www.eshakti.com/Products/Dresses

 

This site has a ton of adorable tops/dresses/skirts and it's so cool because you can get them made to your measurements for free! You can also pick different hem lengths, necklines etc. And their prices are pretty good! Around 60 bucks for dresses. Oh, and you can still return custom stuff. I haven't used the site but I have heard GREAT things!

RedVelvet29

I find good dresses for work at Ann Taylor, they have sales and give coupons all the time so don't pay full price.  

What about skirts? I pretty much only wear skirts and dresses to work because I hate pants!

I don't love wearing dresses as much as skirts because they are more expensive and you can't rewear them as often. I have a bunch of black skirts, grey skirts, purple, blue, etc. I wear these with nice tops and cardigans pretty much every day. I usually buy only solids and mix in trends with scarfs, jewelery, purses and shoes. It is really easy to get dressed and pack when dealing with solids also.