Like a pro: The work dresses your weekday wardrobe needs
Make office dressing a breeze with our curated edit of smart and chic work dresses
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Whether your work week is filled with IRL meetings or balanced with WFH days, getting down to business is always easier when you’re dressed for it. You can never go wrong with a crisp shirt and smart blazer, but there’s something easier and more versatile about a work dress. The best work dresses suit every professional need – interviews, project pitches, meetings with clients, and even post-work drinks.
A chic one-and-done option, investing in the right work dress means opting for long-lasting pieces that can be styled for every season and even dressed down for the weekends. It is, however, important to pick dresses that are actually work-appropriate. Even in more relaxed and creative offices, backless, sheer and cut-out designs are all no-nos. We’ve got you covered with our edit of wrap and button-up midi dresses for more formal offices and knitted and leather options for more lenient dress codes. Here are the best work dresses to invest in this season.
Shirt dresses
Shirt dresses are a workwear staple for a reason. Rising to popularity in the ‘60s, they’ve been an office mainstay for decades. Style your shirt dresses with sandals and trainers in warmer temperatures or a light trench coat and boots when the mercury drops.
Opt for a classic poplin option like this white shirt dress from Prada or a striped design from Ralph Lauren. Alternatively, look for timeless prints like Rixo’s antelope spots or Etro’s pretty paisley dress.
Midi dresses
Floaty and ethereal, midi dresses make for fun and appropriate workwear. Invest in a timeless midi dress like Khaite’s flattering scoop-back black design, best worn with slicked-back hair, hoops, and kitten heels. Or seek out an upgraded version like Gabriela Hearst’s sharply pleated midi dress in a muted blue colour palette. If you prefer a silkier version, go for Victoria Beckham's satin-blend midi dress with an elegant gathered waist, while Staud's houndstooth pattern offers a timeless, effortlessly chic design perfect for autumn.
Wrap dresses
An absolute office essential, wrap dresses are perfect for adding a feminine touch to your professional wardrobe. The flattering form-fitted silhouette looks perfectly polished whether rendered in solid colours or busier prints. Style yours with ballet flats for a casual summer day or switch it up with sleek boots for ultimate girl-boss vibes in winter.
Claudie Pierlot’s crisp blazer-style wrap dress is endlessly versatile while Rotate Birger Christensen offers an eye-catching mint option. For elegant if-you-know-you-know fashion, look to Rick Owens’ satin confection. Then there’s Etro’s wrap dress with an all-over floral print to embrace your inner maximalist.
Knitted dresses
Knit dresses are great office options – chic enough to look polished and warm enough to protect you from blasting AC. Wear as is in warmer months and layered with shirts and blazers as the temperatures drop. Maximise the formal factor of your knit dresses with maxi lengths and collared necklines.
Lisa Yang's do-it-all knit dress is a great building block that can be styled up or down while Self-Portrait's button-down ribbed design is a standout classic you’ll find yourself repeating weekly. If you’re seeking something shorter but still office-appropriate, Veronica Beard's Madden dress is an easy pick, while Christopher John Rogers' multi-hued stripes make for a show-stealing dress.
Leather dresses
Leather dresses may not seem like the first pick for a day in the office, but hear us out. Nothing says power dressing quite like a sleek leather midi dress paired with a boxy blazer or a short dress styled with tights and boots. Perfectly fitted and impeccably tailored leather dresses can work really well for work.
Alaïa’s signature flared leather mini dress will look great under your winter coats when paired with high-heeled boots, while Zadig & Voltaire takes a subtler approach with ruched detailing. Whistles' burgundy shirt dress cuts a bright and smart silhouette with a cute tie-waist, while Stouls' straight cut, python-effect design is sharp, chic and perfect for after-work drinks too.
Shift dresses
The ultimate day-to-night dress silhouette, shift dresses have long been considered versatile workwear options. Traditionally formal, refresh your shift dress edit with some new options this season. Try a simple addition like Frame's suede shirt dress or Boss' sleek grey design that'll look great with a quilted jacket and loafers. For maximalist aficionados La DoubleJ’s printed design is sure to be a hit while Me+Em offers a simple but classic houndstooth dress, perfect for autumnal and winter months.
Read more: Marvellous maxi skirts to shop now
