Steele
Established · Under $200 · Melbourne, Australia
Breezy Australian warm-weather dressing in soft cottons and easy femininity, effortless by design.
Think: Australian boho with flutter sleeves
The buy: the gingham top
What to buy
the gingham top
Categories
Occasions
Why Steele is worth it
Steele makes breezy cotton dresses and matching sets in bold stripes, checks and polka dots, feminine without ever looking fussy.
Cotton does most of the work, often pure cotton, cut into smocked bodices, full midi skirts, relaxed shirts and cropped jackets that come in the same print, so a top and skirt make a set. The prints are the signature: stripes, gingham, plaid and polka dots in clear, sunny colors, designed in Melbourne and made in India.
Steele picks
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Is now a good time?
The sale pattern
From 5 months of sale tracking.
Their last sale was 7 weeks ago and they run one about every 21 weeks, so this is the quiet stretch.
- Runs a sale
- about every 2 quarters
- Last sale
- 7 weeks ago
- Typically claims
- 50% off
- Deepest claimed
- 50% offApril 2026
About Steele
Jessica Reid started Steele in Melbourne in 2010, building the label around the wardrobe she wanted for herself: easy, feminine clothes with a relaxed kind of glamour.
Its own prints and soft, flattering shapes became the signature. In 2024 the Indian studio that had long made its clothes became a co-owner, tying design and production more closely together.
- Founded
- 2010
- Founded by
- Jessica Reid
- Based in
- Melbourne, Australia
- Made in
- India
- Made of
- Mostly cotton, often 100% cotton or cotton with a little stretch, with some viscose and polyester
- Shipping
- Ships to the US from Melbourne by Australia Post International Express for a flat $28, with US duties and tariffs included in the price; ships to most countries worldwide.
- Where to buy
- Steele's own site · Our Steele picks
What shoppers say
From reviews and try-on videos, in our words.
- Fit
Each product page carries its own fit note. Most pieces fit true to size, smocked tops sit close with some stretch, and the oversized shirts suggest sizing down if you're between sizes. Sizes run XS to XL (US 2 to 10).
- Fabric and care
Most pieces are cotton, often 100% cotton or cotton with a touch of stretch, and many are lined in cotton too. Labels recommend a cold hand wash.
- Demand
The smocked Marsielle top is its best seller and keeps coming back in new prints, and popular styles open for pre-order before they arrive.
- Shipping
US orders ship from Melbourne for a flat $28 by Australia Post International Express, and US prices already include duties and tariffs, so nothing is due on delivery.
- Returns
Full-price pieces can be returned within 30 days of the order date for a refund, on a return label you pay for. Sale pieces and anything bought with a promo code are final unless faulty.
What Steele is made of
Cotton-led
- Natural
- 92%
- Plant-based
- 2%
- Synthetic
- 6%
Works most in: cotton
- Natural-fiber ledAt least 85% of the fabric is natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk and wool.
- Low syntheticNo more than 10% of the fabric is synthetic, stretch included.
From the fabric listed on 212 pieces · 100% of the range lists it · Checked October 2026
Steele in our edits
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If you like Steele
The buy: the printed maxi dress
Light, feminine Australian pieces for warm days, breezy dressing that never tries too hard.
The buy: the printed ruffle dress
Printed dresses and feminine separates with ruffles and storytelling themes, capsule drops every two weeks for dreamers.
The buy: the halter and maxi skirt set
Feminine dresses and co-ord sets with European summer energy, limited drops made for special occasions.
The buy: the slim going-out top
Going-out tops and low-rise skirts with ruched and tie details, the Gold Coast label that earned its cult following.
Steele, answered
- What is Steele?
- Steele is a Melbourne womenswear label making cotton dresses, tops, skirts and matching sets in bright stripes, checks and polka dots.
- Is Steele a good brand?
- Yes. We like it for easy, cotton-led summer dressing: smocked dresses and tops, prints that match into sets, a fit note on every piece, and US prices that already include duties.
- Who founded Steele?
- Jessica Reid founded Steele in Melbourne in 2010.
- Where is Steele from?
- Steele is from Melbourne, Australia, where it is designed.
- Does Steele run true to size?
- Mostly, yes. Each piece has a fit note: most fit true to size, smocked styles fit close, and the oversized shirts suggest sizing down if you're between sizes.
- Does Steele ship to the US?
- Yes, for a flat $28 from Melbourne, with US duties and tariffs already included in the price. Full-price pieces can be returned within 30 days; sale pieces are final.
- Where can I buy Steele?
- On the brand's own site, or through our Steele picks.
- When does Steele go on sale?
- Across the 2 sales we have tracked, Steele has run one about every 2 quarters. The last one was about 7 weeks ago.
- How much does Steele discount?
- Their sale emails consistently advertise about 50% off. We have not measured it on the rack.
- What is Steele made of?
- Across the 212 Steele pieces we could read in October 2026, about 92% of the fabric is natural fibers, 2% plant-based fibers like viscose and 6% synthetic. The most common fabrics are cotton.
- Which brands are like Steele?
- If you like Steele, look at Sabo, Carmen Says, Desero Jacare and With Jéan.