i also love her hairstyle, but that's for another post

February 10, 2010 12:26 PM

Where can I find tailored dresses?

I'm looking for a store (online or IRL) that has dresses similar to the style worn by Dr. Saroyan on Bones (screenshot here). What the two dresses seem to have in common are square necklines, capped/short sleeves, medium high waist, knee length, and a tailored fit. I like the idea of a simple but nice dress for work, but I'd like to keep it under $100.

Where should I look? Am I using the right keywords?

posted by kidsleepy to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 answers total)

The photo's not loading for me, but maybe look for dresses in the suit department? They tend to be much more tailored.
posted by decathecting at 12:30 PM on February 10, 2010

I can't see the screenshot -- but from what you're describing, it sounds like you might find something you like at Shabby Apple. It also sounds a lot like several dress styles from Banana Republic about a year ago... you might be able to find them on ebay.
posted by scody at 12:33 PM on February 10, 2010

dangit! the link totally worked on preview. try here: http://twitpic.com/12g5ns/full
posted by kidsleepy at 12:36 PM on February 10, 2010

You may want to take a look at this dress at Ann Taylor or these from Talbots.

If you don't like sleeveless, try a little jacket or sweater with your dress.

I'd add that I always buy from anntaylor.com and talbots.com when the sales start. Just be patient and you can get a great wardrobe for a lot less than these prices.
posted by bearwife at 12:48 PM on February 10, 2010

You might have better luck if you find the dress first and then take it to a tailor and have them fitted to your body. I don't know for sure, but the wardrobe person for Bones probably does that for Dr. Saroyan. A local tailor won't charge very much, and it will make a huge difference. Your dry cleaner can probably recommend someone.
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:48 PM on February 10, 2010

Second the tailor suggestion.

Also, there's a place here in NYC that sells dresses from Stop Staring! Most of the dresses are quite cheesy, but the more sophisticated ones have always reminded me of Saroyan's.
posted by functionequalsform at 1:01 PM on February 10, 2010

Also, turns out this woman designed some of the dresses . . . pricey stuff!
posted by bearwife at 1:17 PM on February 10, 2010

That looks very Roland Mouret, or RM by Roland Mouret. One of those is going to set you back quite a lot of money, though. Maybe one would turn up sometime on eBay or on a department store or Gilt type site, on sale, though it'd take a lot of patience to find that. But if you're going to go to a tailor, that would be the designer I'd cite.
posted by citron at 1:17 PM on February 10, 2010

I get a lot of dresses from ModCloth.com. They might have what you're looking for.
posted by Olive Oil at 1:30 PM on February 10, 2010

Nthing the tailor. It's unlikely her clothes fit like that off-the-rack. Also, these dresses would look super sexy and provocative when not on TV. I think.

So look for suit dresses at large department stores, J Crew, Nordstrom, Ann Taylor, etc.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:38 PM on February 10, 2010

Calvin Klein makes dresses like that. If you have a Ross or Marshalls, you can get them very cheaply. I have some beautiful dresses very similar to the ones in your pictures. The most I paid was about $25.
posted by fifilaru at 1:43 PM on February 10, 2010

Nanette Lepore also makes dresses that are similar. Not really under $100 though, except on sale.
posted by grapesaresour at 1:54 PM on February 10, 2010

The term you want to google to find similar dresses is "sheath dress." You should find plenty of them at Ann Taylor and J Crew and at department stores. Not every dress you see being called a sheath dress will have that same tailored, almost severe look, but both those dresses are prime examples of the style.
posted by peacheater at 4:32 PM on February 10, 2010

Try this seller on Etsy. I'm pretty sure I bought something from her on Ebay a year or two ago. They ask for a lot of measurements, and you need to think hard about how much ease you want in the garment, because they will make it exactly to to fit.
posted by amber_dale at 4:47 PM on February 10, 2010 [1 favorite]

This is the Ebay seller I bought from.
posted by amber_dale at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2010

Some from Macy's:
black simple, on super sale
black and grey with cute belt
stripes
black belted
posted by rmless at 7:18 PM on February 10, 2010

Also, if you like that kick pleat on the dress in your picture, this VS skirt is pretty similar and looks versatile.
posted by rmless at 7:22 PM on February 10, 2010