Dresses are a great way to look chic for work. They’re comfortable, and you can wear them in any season. If your office is a casual one, a dress is an excellent choice—but if it’s more formal, then you may want to consider other options.
There are many different types of dresses but there are few that look elegant for work. Wearing dresses is the easiest way to look put together for meetings or property showings, but only if you choose the right styles.
Choosing the wrong dress for your job could make you look either unprofessional or like you’re trying too hard. If you want to be comfortable and at the same time look classy at work, you’d certainly want to avoid these looks.
RELATED: Women’s Guide on How to Dress Smart for WFH Meetings
Check out our dress suggestions below and start upgrading your looks for work.
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Sheath Dresses
SHOP: (1) Beaded Grid-Print Dress by Chiara Boni La Petite Robe, (2) Marissa Ponte Buttercream Dress by Black Halo, (3) Jackie O Sleeveless Red Dress by Black Halo, (4) Keyhole Milano Dark Green Dress by Giorgio Armani, (5) Varetta Admiral Crepe Black Dress by Theory, (6) Harpson Shadow-Print Dress by Lafayette 148 New York (Neiman Marcus)
Sheath dresses are a classic for the office and for good reason. They’re formfitting but not too tight, which means you can wear them with confidence without feeling uncomfortable.
That said, sheaths can be elevated with an elegant belt (I like to wear mine on my waist) or some kind of detailing around the waist that breaks up what would otherwise be an uninterrupted line from the shoulder to the floor.
The key is to keep everything else minimal: no jewelry except maybe earrings and definitely skip anything around your neck (sorry scarf fans). With heels or flats and a blazer or cardigan thrown over it, this dress will work in any setting—from boardrooms to client dinners—and never fail you.
Best for body types: Hourglass shapes and Athletic shapes
A-line Dresses
SHOP: (1) Cleo Mock-Neck Draped Cognac Dress by Black Halo, (2) Tianna Sleeveless Black Dress by Kobi Halperin, (3) Metallic Tweed Emerald Dress by Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon, (4) Callas Abstract-Print Dress by Max Mara, (5) Ruched Flutter-Sleeve Midnight Dress by Victoria Beckham, (6) Shaped Collar Dolman-Sleeve White Sand Dress by Vince (Neiman Marcus)
A-line cut is a universally flattering dress fit for every body type. It creates a feminine silhouette by minimizing the midsection, hips, and thighs, and depending on the neckline draws attention to the bust half at the same time.
If you have a long waist and want to look slimmer, then this is the dress for you. It will make your legs look longer and thinner. A-line dresses are also perfect for women who want to hide their tummy because they are fitted at the top and loose at the bottom.
They are very comfortable as well, so if you’re looking for a simple but stylish dress that can go from work to play, then this is it!
Best for body types: All shapes
Shift Dresses
SHOP: (1) Easy Black Dress by Theory (2) Finesse Crepe Pink Dusk Dress by Lafayette 148 New York (3) Embroidered Dress with Flutter Sleeves by Carolina Herrera, (4) Daiquiri Kimono-Sleeve Lillikoi Dress by Trina Turk, (5) Draped Crepe Satin Jade Dress by Emporio Armani, (6) Reo Sequined Black Dress by Badgley Mischka Collection (Neiman Marcus)
A shift dress is a loose-fitting garment that hangs straight from the shoulders and has a straight hem. It can have varying sleeve lengths and necklines, with the elegant boat neck being a popular style for the office.
The advantages of wearing a shift dress include its versatile nature: you can wear it to work or on your way there, with heels or flats, with jewelry, or without any accessories at all! It’s also extremely comfortable—you won’t feel constricted at all when you wear one!
Typically the shift dress is minimalist when it comes to its detail. This lack of embellishment is key to its very simple yet classic look. The waist is de-emphasized, which allows women to move around freely without constraints making it a top dress choice for many for work.
The only downside perhaps is this style tends to downplay and sometimes conceals those womanly curves. But shift dresses still look elegant for work and are definitely a comfortable choice.
Best for body types: Apple shapes and Long, lean shapes
Peplum Dresses
SHOP: (1) Knit Short-Sleeve Black Dress by Self-portrait (Neiman Marcus), (2) Fit and Flare Off-white Dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA, (3) Pencil Deep Purple Dress by Ted Baker London (Amazon)
If you want to look chic while still feeling comfortable and professional, a peplum dress is a great choice. The flattering cut of this style makes it perfect for any occasion, whether you’re heading out for drinks with your friends after work or attending a formal work event.
Not only does the peplum dress look amazing on all body types, but it also has the added benefit of being extremely versatile. You can wear them with heels or flats depending on what type of event you’re attending that day.
Best for body types: Pear shapes and Hourglass shapes
Wrap Dresses
SHOP: (1) Jeanne Black Dress by Diane von Furstenberg, (2) Trapezoid-Buckle Stretch Navy Denim Shirtdress by Akris (Neiman Marcus), (3) Louisville Print Dress by Lilysilk
Wrap dresses are great for work because they look professional, but they’re also so comfortable that you won’t mind wearing them to and from the office. The wrap dress is flattering on most body types and will hide any flaws you might have, whether it’s a tummy pooch or an under-boob bulge. If you have a great figure, a wrap dress can also help show off your assets in just the right way!
Pick one with a standard style-the collar, cuffs, or maybe a belted one to add definition to your waist. Roll the sleeves up for a less formal vibe, or button the cuffs to look more formal. When the meeting is over, you can loosen up a few buttons or wear it like a cardigan under your house clothes.
Blouson Dresses
SHOP: (1) Flora Satin Red Dress by Toccin (Neiman Marcus), (2) Alondra Peacock Blue Dress by Dress the Population, (3) Cirrus Blue Dress by Trina Turk (Amazon)
The blouson dress is a loose-fitting dress with a closed waistband with blousing of material over it. The blouson waist is a rounded, padded waistline that can be worn by all body types and is both flattering and professional. The best thing about this style of dress is that you can wear it to the office or work outings. It’s versatile enough that you can head out after for dinner or drinks with friends on the weekend!
Best for body types: All except Apple shapes
Our Final Thoughts
When wearing elegant dresses for work, there are some important considerations. Choosing dresses for work must have what we call “work-appropriate fabrics”. This means that they aren’t too light or too thin (as they could show through your shirt), nor do they feel cheap and clingy (which would make you look shoddy).
Some examples of good fabrics include linen or cotton blends; silk charmeuse; wool crepe; knits such as cashmere sweaters or jersey tops; twill pants; trousers made from light-colored wool fabric like flannel shirts etcetera.
With all these great options, you should never be short of a work dress or two! These dresses are perfect for dressing up your weeklong look, and they’re always a stylish choice.
For an added touch of elegance and class, we also suggest pairing your dress with a blazer or cardigan. Now that you have some ideas for what to wear tomorrow morning, go out there and make this week the best one yet!
— First published on May 29, 2022
More refined style edit from Finesse to Success:
• Black and White Women’s Workwear to Look Classy and Professional
• Celebrity Best Pairings of Classic White Shirt to Wear at the Office
• Silk Blouses and Accessories to Dress Up a Work Outfit
