The best work dresses belong in every wardrobe, whether you go into an office, work remotely, or meet clients and colleagues on the go. Between meetings, project pitches, and interviews with the boss or team members, a smart dress will always ascend the ranks of your office clothes—even better if it reflects your personal sense of style.
No matter the season, a sleek and minimal midi always makes a strong impression. In the colder months, a leather design could surprise you with its professional edge. Similarly, classic wrap silhouettes pair beautifully with everything from sandals and flats to boots and heels, whether you’re all about trendy platform silhouettes or lovely Mary Janes.
Another year-round staple is a simple shirtdress—it always appears sleek and professional. Corduroy, wool blends, silks, and even denim are stunning in the cooler months. When going the cotton poplin route, opt for darker tones in fall and winter, like black, olive green, or a navy blue stripe, but, of course, embrace timeless white, beige, and lighter hues for spring and summer.
For an ultra-buttoned-up look, riff off tailored separates and suiting by looking to belted dresses with a bit of structure and designs. A polo collar that nods to iconic prep (teamed with loafers) is unquestionably the ultimate finish. If your dress code is lenient, knitted dresses and printed styles, from stripes to floral motifs to abstract patterns, will win big. And never forget the classic sheath for extra refinement with a feminine touch.
Vogue-Editor Approved Dresses for the Office
Minimal Midis
Minimal midi dresses amount to peak sophistication and are spot-on for work. Modernize your assortment with ruched and draped designs, like from Totême and Zara, or embrace an ultra-sleek leather iteration, like from Massimo Dutti. Of course, high and round-neck silhouettes never fail for sophistication.
Shirtdress
Shirtdresses are utterly iconic, coming to popularity in the ’60s and anchoring many a work dress collection. So refresh your assortment with versions rendered in denim or corduroy, like from Cos and Chloé. This season, pleated detailing is one of our top polished picks when seeking more detail, like from Fendi and Tory Burch.
Belted Dress
A belted dress not only defines your shape beautifully but also brings structure to your look. Options run the gamut, from utility-inspired designs like Carolina Herrera’s new-season version to bold statement belts, like from Gucci, and slimmer waist cinchers, as Ulla Johnson, Norma Kamali, and Ninety Percent offer.
Wrap Dress
A wardrobe staple since the ’30s and ’40s, the wrap dress is quintessential for work, from cotton, denim, and ribbed iterations (Veronica Beard, Co, and Anine Bing’s are exemplary) to delightful colors like Valentino and Rick Owens have masterfully created.
Knitted
Knit dresses indeed work at work. Focus on longer lengths, higher-cut necklines, and elegant details like pleated skirts or a smart collar—see Joseph’s flowing steel blue midi or Proenza Schouler’s variegated ribbed style. However, versions that skew above the knee or feature a scooped neckline are plenty suitable for work, including Banana Republic’s mock-neck alpaca mini and Ganni’s blue brushed-mohair design.
Sheath
Sheaths are undoubtedly the most traditional and well-suited to a more formal dress code. However, they needn’t be boring, with elements like a sculptural neckline, waist detail, and impeccably cut minimalist lines at play. The Row, Roland Mouret, and Emilia Wickstead make some of the freshest this season.
Printed
Prints are the best way to showcase your personality in the workplace, from timeless tweeds and checks as Oscar de la Renta and Purdey currently offer, to feminine florals à la Dôen, to art-inspired patterns like Isabel Marant’s swirling marble print and Missoni’s mesmerizing zigzags.
Cotton Poplin
No work dress feels better suited to crisp weather than once crafted from structured cotton poplin in timeless solids like black and Oxford blue, classic stripes, and earthy tones such as khaki green. Wardrobe NYC, Sacai, and Róhe really deliver this season.