Styles and design · 5 October 2026 · 4 min read
A made-to-measure work dress with sleeves: what to ask
Work dresses with sleeves, made to measure: choosing a shift or A-line shape, a sleeve you can reach in, a hem that works seated, lining and pockets.
InspirationWhat a work dress with sleeves has to do
A work dress with sleeves needs five things settled: a sleeve you can reach and type in, a hem that still covers when you sit, a neckline that stays put when you lean forward, a lining so it hangs cleanly, and somewhere to put your phone. Shop dresses rarely offer all five in one size and length, which is the case for having one made.
The dress here is a plain shift or A-line day dress for the office. Dresses are among the Western pieces we make to measure, so you can send a photo of the shape and ask for these details, and they are confirmed in your written quote. For kurtas, co-ords and dress codes, see modest workwear for women.
Shift or A-line?
A shift hangs straight from the shoulders, with bust darts and little or no waist shaping. It is easy to wear seated all day and looks sharp in a fabric with some body. Because it is narrow at the hem, it needs a back vent to walk in once it passes the knee.
An A-line is closer at the bust and widens gradually to the hem. It needs no vent, has room over the hips and is kinder to anyone whose hips are a size larger than her bust. If you cannot decide, the A-line is the more forgiving of the two.
Sleeves you can work in
Length is the first choice.
- Elbow length ends on or just above the elbow. Cool, and clear of the desk.
- Three-quarter ends on the forearm. It covers more, never dips into anything and suits most offices all year. See three-quarter sleeves.
- Full length to the wrist bone gives the most cover. Ask for a cuff that opens, or a sleeve wide enough to push up.
Room to reach forward
Length is only half of a working sleeve. One that looks neat while your arms hang down can bind across the upper arm and back the moment you reach for a keyboard. Send your upper arm measurement and say that you want room to reach forward. A slightly higher armhole and a little extra width around the upper arm make a set-in sleeve far more comfortable than a low, tight one.
Hem, neckline and lining
Hem. Knee to midi is the working range. Every dress rides up when you sit, a straight shift more than an A-line. Measure standing, from the top of the shoulder beside the neck to where the hem should end, then sit down and check how much shorter it becomes.
Neckline. A round neck near the collarbone, a shallow V or a boat neck all look professional. Lean forward at a mirror in a top you own to see what depth is comfortable, and give that depth in centimetres. The necklines library shows each shape.
Lining. A lined dress skims over tights instead of clinging, keeps pale fabric opaque under office lighting and helps a shift hold its line. Some firm, opaque fabrics do not need one. Ask, and we confirm what suits your fabric.
Pockets, fabric and the quote
Side-seam pockets disappear into an A-line and are the practical choice. In a narrow shift they can add width at the hip, so keep them shallow or leave them out. For fabric, look for a smooth surface and enough weight to resist creasing by lunchtime: crepe, a firm cotton or cambric, or a linen blend for summer. If your office is heavily air-conditioned, read fabrics for air-conditioned offices.
Send your photo and notes through the quote form if you would like us to supply the fabric, or choose Stitching Only if you have your own. Include bust, waist, hips, shoulder width, upper arm, sleeve length and dress length. The custom stitching page sets out both routes, and a single dress is enough for an order.
Common questions
What length should a work dress be?
Most offices are comfortable with anything from the knee to mid-calf. Check the length seated as well as standing, because a dress that ends at the knee when you stand sits noticeably higher in a chair.
Can a work dress be made without a zip?
Often, if the shape is loose and the neckline is wide enough to go over the head. A closer shift usually needs a back or side zip. Mention your preference and it is confirmed in the quote.
Is a shirt dress suitable for the office?
Yes. A collar and a button front look smart in most workplaces. One of our own designs is a long button-front shirt dress with roll-up sleeves and side slits, offered in five colours, in sizes S to XL or made to measure.
