So I was poking around for a piece for another BCS post when I saw that Charlotte Russe had redesigned their site a bit to include an “At The Office” search filter under their Dresses category. I clicked on it and saw this:
Sad, isn’t it?
Four dresses, and all of them in varying shades of black and white. But wait! I think I spot some navy!
:-|
This is not cool, you guys. How boring would it be if we were restricted to these dull colors at the workplace, day in and day out? It reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons, “Team Homer,” where the uniforms that Bart and Lisa have to wear to school aren’t colorfast, and the boring greys and blacks are transformed into vibrant rainbow colors during one of SuperNintendo Chalmers’s inspections.
Ha. SuperNintendo Chalmers. Classic Ralph.
Anyway, I put together about 15 colorful dresses all for under $50 that can easily be worn to the workplace. Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but a drab wardrobe!
Let’s take a look (in no particular order).
1. Jersey Knit Dress in Rose Quartz – Newport News ($21.99)
First up is this number in pink. It’s got crochet detailing and a pretty sash, and kind of a dropped waist thing. I hate dropped waists; I don’t think they’re flattering, but maybe you like them, in which case, awesome. Go for it.
The dress falls at the knee and has long sleeves, and is available in M, L, and XL. It’s got a touch of spandex in it for stretch, and that can sometimes be a good thing (even though I generally prefer straight cotton or wool or silk).
2. Empire Sweater Dress – Kohls ($29.99)
Here we have a sweater dress in full navy. You guys know I love sweater dresses terribly. They’re sleek and pretty and timeless, and they can be all demure when worn with a pretty scarf/shawl and a cocktail ring with pretty pumps, or surprisingly (relatively?) bad-ass when worn with a pair of kickass booties (leather?) with stiletto heels, and a chunky statement necklace.
Also, a great way to punk up a demure or girly dress is the right jacket. Pashminas and shawls and capelets are too predictable; the best options are little leather bomber jackets or cropped motorcycle jackets or something like that. I love unexpected twists like that.
ANYWAY. Here’s a long, full-sleeved dress in navy. It’s an empire cut, which is flattering on most body types because it pinches in under the bust and flows after that, so it doesn’t stretch tightly over the hips or anything like that.
3. Cotton Rib V-Neck Sweater Dress in Sangria Red – Victoria’s Secret ($49)
Yay! Victoria’s Secret! Is there a more perfect store? If there is, I haven’t found it!
Well…I shouldn’t be hasty. Anthropologie and ModCloth are pretty perfect, but I have found I can get more bang for my buck at Vicky’s. So here we are.
This is another cute little sweater dress that’s a deep, rich red with full sleeves. It hits just under the knees, which can be tricky depending on height, but whatever. I probably wouldn’t wear anything that hit that low (I’m petite; dresses that go over my knees make my legs look stumpy), but taller girls can get away with it. Damn you, taller girls. Is there anything you can’t do?
4. Origami Pleat Dress in Blue – Kohl’s ($27.90)
A pretty pleat dress with interesting detail on the bodice, and long sleeves. It appears to be a decent length (although it’s a little hard to tell because there’s no model wearing it), and it’s a bright cobalt blue.
And it’s hard to beat that price.
5. Long Sleeve Bra-Top Dress in Sangria Red – Victoria’s Secret ($39)
Another pretty little thing from Victoria’s Secret. It hits at the knee and has long sleeves, so it’s all good for work. It’s got a built in bra-top to hoist the sweater puppies up, which is almost always a good thing.
And if you’re a gal whose sweater puppies have moved on to the adult Kibble formula (what the hell am I doing? Metaphor fail), you’ll want to wear something underneath, like a pretty little lace camisole to keep things tucked away.
You’re starting to see why I love love love Vicky’s Secret the way I do, right? Their sales kick butt. Copious amounts of butt.
6. ELLE Shirred Floral Dress in Floral Mauve – Kohls ($28.99)
Here’s a cute little mauve floral dress that, when worn under a pretty little cardigan in a corresponding color, is perfect for work. It’s got a tiny little pattern, and tiny patterns are generally flattering. The thing is, when looking at patterns and seeing what will work with your shape, it’s the amount of space BETWEEN the design that makes or breaks the look. Here, this is a pattern that works well with a lot of different shapes.
It’s got an empire waistband that is additionally flattering for different body types, and it’s got adorable little cap sleeves. And can we speak frankly for a second? I love cap sleeves. They’re cute and girly and dainty and fluttery, and I like them the way a cat likes a string that’s dangling in front of its face that it can just spend the afternoon batting away at.
…I don’t know what that last sentence meant. Maybe you nerds can figure it out. I dunno. It’s late, and my right hip is starting to hurt, which I take to mean I’m tired, because ever since I was five, my right hip would hurt (like, hurt) when I was tired, so I don’t argue with that anymore. My right hip dictates my bedtime, you guys.
ANYWAY.
Cute dress, probably long enough, flattering, purple flowers, needs a cardigan, cheaper than a 2-person meal at one of my favorite Chicago pubs. You’re welcome.
7. City Style Belted Sateen Shirt Dress in Auxiliary Green – New York & Co ($34.17)
This model looks adorable. This dress is boyish, and I love it. It requires stockings, most definitely, or leggings, anything of that nature, obviously. The green is a pretty olive green (auxiliary, whatever), further adding to the menswear feel, and it’s got cute pockets, button cuffs, and a straight collar.
New York & Co is a great store in general, and they usually have pretty decent sales, and their clothing is cute and generally durable. I have a cute black trench from there that I’ve had for a couple years (you guys know I don’t adhere to this ‘season’ crap in fashion – if I like something, I’ll wear it for as long as I can) and a couple blouses, and I love them all.
8. Bamboo Garden Wrap Dress – ModCloth ($34.99)
I love ModCloth. They’ve got one of a kind vintage things in interesting prints and amazing, retro styles. This bamboo wrap dress, honestly, reminds me of some of the dresses to come out of Ungaro’s house in the eighties, long before Hurricane Lohan blew into town with her sequins and nipple pasties.
We’ve got prim little sleeves, a modest neckline, and an interesting print, and for a great price, too. Love it. Gave my brother my credit card so I don’t buy it.
:-|
The problem is, I kind of have my credit card number memorized…
Hm…troublesome.
I’ll just try not to access my brain. As you guys are no doubt aware, that will not be difficult.
…Hey. Shut up.
9. Faux Wrap Matte Jersey Dress in Jungle – Nordstrom ($46.90)
Now there’s a bright dress! It’s a faux wrap, meaning you get the benefits of a wrap dress (the flattering silhouette) without the fuss of having to adjust it and get it just right.
It’s got half-sleeves and falls at the knee, with a dainty sash-look, making it perfect for the office. And no boring black/grey/white in sight!
10. Wrap Scoopneck Dress in Emerald - Newport ($39)
Full sleeves, silky look, sash, long, and excellent drape to the fabric. What more could you ask for?
11. Knot Front Matte Jersey Dress in Cobalt – Nordstrom ($48.90)
What a pretty, eye-catching blue! This dress is so dainty and girly, with the fitted sleeves, the knotted waist, the modest scoopneck, and the length. It’s an absolutely darling pick for the office. Match it with grey accessories, or cool reds if you’re feeling bold. Of course, nudes also work well with blue – and nude shoes add the illusion of longer legs.
12. Gathered Matte Jersey Dress in Azalea – Nordstrom ($49.90)
What a bright fuchsia! It’s got a modest neckline, nice, long sleeves, it hits a little below the knee, and it’s got the A-line skirt and the light pleats and empire waistband that make it so flattering.
As you can tell from some of these picks, I generally adore Nordstrom’s. They’ve got nice things that last, and you just have to poke around a little to find some really great deals.
13. Mossimo Wrap Dress in Plum – Target ($18.99)
I also adore Target. There’s a SuperTarget less than a mile from my house, and I’m there way more often than I should probably admit to. I can’t help it! Where else can I get a big jar of Vlasic jalapeno slices at 9:00 PM?!
Well, a lot of places.
But I still like Target best.
Shuddup.
Anyway, Target is awesome when it comes to getting cute stuff on the cheap. I have this adorable Jonathan Saunders navy cotton pleated blue dress with ruffle straps (that I wear under a cardigan, no worries) that I got from there for SEVEN (7) (!!!) dollars. It’s amazing and comfy and cute and I love it.
This dress is a pretty plum, a little more sedate than that bright fuchsia, and it’s a flattering wrap with short sleeves. Lovely. It’s the kind of dress I’d get a lot of mileage out of, that’s for sure.
And I didn’t mean anything dirty by that. >:( Stop that. You people, always living in the gutter. It’s gotten so bad that I can’t say anything these days without people snickering and harassing me about sex acts. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND I HATE YOUR FACE.
14. Pin Tuck Waist Knit Dress – JCPenney ($29.99)
Now here’s a pretty print! It’s colorful, and hits at the knee and the nipped in waist is a nice touch. You’ll need a cardigan, obviously, but whatever, it’s fall/winter depending on where you are in the country. (If you’re abroad…you’re on your own. Sorry, bub.)
I don’t generally wear print dresses or blouses, but I have this one dress that can best be described as a kaleidoscope dress. I mean, it’s not more of a circular fractal pattern than the crazy geometric patterns you get in the kaleidoscope, but still. It’s a little out there in terms of what I wear, but it’s pretty and I get tons of compliments whenever I wear it. Plus, it’s got the nipped in waist that just sits on me nicely.
The cut of the dress is always as important (sometimes more so, actually) than the color or print or style. You can wear something that’s beautiful, in high quality fabric and the latest style, but if it just doesn’t sit on you right, you might as well have worn a burlap sack. Conversely, you can wear a very basic, simple, no-frills dress that, if it’s cut right for your shape, will look absolutely amazing. Know what’s flattering on you and go with that.
15. Split Neck Matte Jersey Dress – Nordstrom ($49.90)
I think this one is my favorite. I have always loved the black/white/red combo, so that probably explains it. Plus, it just looks so dainty and Eastern and I love that. I have this one Kimono dress that’s a lot like this (smaller print, much smaller), and it’s all silky and girly and sweet, and I’m in love with it. Only I think I lent it to one of my friends and she hasn’t given it back yet.
>:(
Anyway.
It’s got a modest neckline, cute half sleeves, hits at the knee, clean lines, classic print, and the bright red keeps things interesting and sharp.
And there you have it: a collection of 15 work appropriate dresses for under $50 each that aren’t in boring white, black, or gray shades. Yay! Every reader dance now! Bomp. Bomp. Bomp bomp bomp.
