After what felt like 50 years of winter, summer is finally here (Memorial Day weekend being the benchmark). This means many things. Among them: (1) it’s time to finalize vacay plans and update that OOO message and (2) it’s time to stock up on throw-on-and-go summer dresses that are (somehow) both unconstraining and office-appropriate.
Needless to say, the definition of…
Work/Spring/Summer Appropriate Dresses
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J.Crew
Belted Shirtdress, $138 at J.Crew
This navy number looks professional, but not un-fun, thanks to the white banding.
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Rachel Comey
Ellipse Isotope Dress, $384.99 at Need Supply
Take a cue from Need Supply's stylist: wear it with white statement heels. (But definitely add a bra.)
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Zara
Midi Dress with Voluminous Sleeves, $69.90 at Zara
Don't you love it when the price and cut are just right? Wear this fun kelly green dress immediately.
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Ganni
Roseburg Crepe Wrap Dress in Total Eclipse, $250 at Lisa Says Gah
From the "Danish Mansur Gavriel," a dress you can wear in the boardroom, out to drinks and everywhere in between.
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Farrow
Sora Dress in Navy Plaid, $89.99 at Need Supply
A breezy checkered maxi dress with lots of ruffled accents for days when you've got an 11 a.m. meeting and a 6 p.m. picnic.
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Mango
Print Wrap Dress, $79.99 at Mango
Behold: a very affordable wrap dress that you can wear all summer long. Dress it up with kitten heels, dress it down with tennis sneaks.
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Vero Moda
Asymmetric Polka Dot Prairie Dress, $56 at ASOS
Covers the requisite amount of skin, but still light enough for a hot day. Wear this airy prairie dress with flat sandals.
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Faithfull The Brand
Nina Floral-Print Crinkled-Crepe Midi Dress, $190 at Net-a-Porter
An influencer favorite, Faithfull The Brand is based in Indonesia, where all of its vintage-feeling pieces are designed, dyed and printed by local artisans. For a less beachy, more office-y vibe, style this 40s-style tea dress with fancy mules and a slicked-back bun.
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Free People
Diamond Head Embroidered Shirt Dress, $198 at Free People
Wear it as-is or unbuttoned over pants, if you're feeling experimental.
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Raey
Split-Skirt Linen Halterneck Dress, $410 at Matches Fashion
A light, minimal dress that you can get away with wearing at work (if you keep a gauzy wrap handy). Also, plain linen looks great with gold jewelry.
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Zara
Long Creased-Effect Dress, $49.90 at Zara
You know what we love about this dress (in addition to its obvious coolness)? You never have to iron it.
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ASOS
Curve Shirt Dress in Dobby Lace, $103 at ASOS
Though a translucent shirtdress wouldn't normally be appropriate for the office, the built-in slip saves the day. Offset the pretty/precious lace with a menswear-inspired shoe.
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Diane Von Furstenberg
Olivia High-Neck Dress, $448 at Matches Fashion
From queen of feminine workwear DVF, a high-neck dress that's perfect for hot summer days spent toiling away in the office. Just add a neutral cotton slip and you're good to go.
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Uniqlo
Pleated Sleeveless Shirtdress, $29.90 at Uniqlo
Shirtdresses can be a little blah, but this one's got pleats and a buttery-yellow hue to keep it interesting. Jazz it up with colorful heels.
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Coach x Keith Haring
Quilted Patchwork T-Shirt Dress. $297 at Coach
This dress might look a little too short for the office, but if you're on the petite side, it’s actually perfect. (And even if you're not, Coach is having a crazy-ridiculous Memorial Day sale that you absolutely must check out.)
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With Jéan
Emelie Dress, $189 at With Jéan
Those who work at a millennial-targeting company: slip on a cardigan and some block heels and you're set.
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Premme
Sol Satin Dress, $119 at Premme
Sunshine in dress form.
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Topshop
Mix Floral Midi Dress, $95 at Topshop
This fun mixed-print dress will look great layered over a turtleneck once it gets cold again (shudder).
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& Other Stories
Cross Front Dress, $95 at & Other Stories
Again, it needs a cardigan, but it's modest and pretty and definitely puts us in a spring/summer state of mind.
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Chalayan
Wrap Midi Dress, $276 at Farfetch
A wrap dress with some drama from Chalayan.
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Glow
Beige Button Wrap Dress, $149 at The Frankie Shop
A neutral shirt dress with cute button details that looks like it could be from 3.1 Phillip Lim, minus the accompanying price tag.
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Reformation
Locklin Dress, $198 at Reformation
Modest Reformation dresses are few and far between — get this one while you can.
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A.P.C.
Rita Dress, $425 at A.P.C.
Got an office A.C. that could double as a cryogenic freezer? This one looks great under a black blazer.
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COS
Ribbed Polo Dress, $150 at COS
On a polo shirt kick? Style this one-and-done option with neutral oxfords and fun socks.
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Mara Hoffman
Tamar Dress in Taupe, $450 at Lisa Says Gah
Remember the custom Ralph Lauren trench dress Priyanka Chopra wore on the 2017 Met Gala red carpet? Well, this is our/Mara Hoffman's office-friendly take.
