The 21 Best Work Dresses For Owning Your Nine-To-Five

The best work dresses are the foundation of my fashion editor uniform. Every week at the office, I can be found in some form of midi or maxi dress: breathable floral midi dresses and cosy sweater dresses (always worn with a reliable pair of tights, of course). I arrive at the office in dresses so often, my co-workers consider it a shock when I wear work pants instead.

I beeline for the dresses at my favourite work clothes stores because they make me feel like me, while looking ready to conquer a high-stakes presentation or a challenging negotiation. Work dresses are just as professional (and comfortable) as matching suit sets, but they’ve also got a little more flair—especially when they come from designers like JW Anderson, Toteme, and Chloé. For 2024, the best work dresses bring extra flavour to nine-to-five dress-code requirements like modest hemlines and clean lines. A Gucci mini that caught my eye is coated in a heritage-inspired chain print; at Proenza Schouler, tie-dye goes coolly corporate in a quarter-sleeve midi dress. For offices in creative fields, bright prints and neon-hued colorblocking adorn work dresses by Rixo and Frances Valentine. Then there are silhouettes deserving of capsule wardrobe status in any work setting, from Simkhai’s satin wrap dress to Theory’s tailored sheaths.

Ahead, shop the best work dresses to wear to any office. Each one was chosen based on style, shopper reviews, and my own extensive dress testing.

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BEST VELOUR WORK DRESS

Autumn Adeigbo Bryce Gown

There’s a Daisy Jones energy emanating from this dress’s faded floral pattern and velour texture. I’ll add square-toe leather boots and a strong hoop earring to lean all the way into the Aurora vibe.

Sizes: 0–16

Colour: Burgundy floral

BEST LUXURY WORK DRESS

Chloé Colourblocked Wool Midi Dress

Indulgent pure wool and an everyday colourblock pattern: This Chloé dress is an investment in feeling your best each week at work. Note the skirt’s fluttery sense of movement even with its hardworking warm material.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colour: Black/cream/brown

BEST TIERED DRESS

Rixo Kristen Midi Dress

Rixo’s dresses are the foundation of my personal work dress wardrobe. They have just enough of a vintage flourish to feel special, but they come in functional fabrics and modest-enough silhouettes to wear for meetings and conferences. You can see exactly what I mean in the Kristen midi, with its elbow-length sleeves, long tiered skirt, and floaty patterned chiffon. I love wearing mine with silver metallic ballet flats.

Sizes: 2–22

Colours: Blue polka dot, green daisy

What reviewers are saying: “Very nice material, delightful design and length.”

BEST MINIMALIST WORK DRESS

Theory Sheath Dress

Here’s a style lesson that bears repeating: You don’t have to overthink your office outfits to make an impression. Theory’s wool sheath dress has earned dozens of rave reviews for its clean sheath construction, range of versatile tones, and quietly professional vibe. Just like your work, your new dress will speak for itself.

Sizes: 00–18

Colours: Black, charcoal, navy

What reviewers are saying: “Great dress for all occasions. I only travel with a carry on and this dress allows me to do so. I can wear it so many ways to mix up the look and no one knows I’m rewearing the same dress!”

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BEST TURTLENECK WORK DRESS

Cefinn Eva Turtleneck Dress

There are a lot of worthy sweater dresses to wear to work, but Cefinn’s lands at the top of my personal shopping list. The deep emerald shade is as versatile as a basic neutral tone, while the tailored waist and puff sleeves bring some structure to a cuddly soft material.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colour: Dark green

BEST TIE-DYE WORK DRESS

Proenza Schouler White Label Natalee Dress

This is a midi dress for bringing your whole personality to work. Fashion insiders will immediately clock that the print is a Proenza signature; everyone at the office will get a sense of your love of colour and classics with a twist.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colour: Sage multi

BEST T-SHIRT DRESS

Everlane The Organic Cotton Waisted Dress

Forget what you thought you knew about boxy, simple T-shirt dresses. Everlane transformed the cotton tee into a stand-alone work staple by adding a wide, banded waist. While this version has extra oomph for showing off at your standup meeting, it’s also as comfortable as the oversize tees you wear to lounge at home.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Colours: Kalamata, cream, black

What reviewers are saying: “I love this dress. It is great for summer, fall and spring. I added a brown sweater when the days got a little chillier. Very comfortable and flattering.”

BEST SLEEVELESS WORK DRESS

FRAME Leather Midi Vest Dress

Everything I love about a polished suit vest is finally in dress form, thanks to FRAME. In addition to the structure through the shoulders and waist, there's now a swishy skirt for power walking between meetings.

Sizes: 0–14

Colour: Black

What reviewers are saying: “Has become a closet staple, love how flattering the fit is, has already become a favourite in the few weeks since I've purchased.”

MOST COMFORTABLE WORK DRESS

Pleats Please Issey Miyake Red Monthly Colours November Midi Dress

To wear anything from Pleats Please is to know just how comfortable a formally leaning dress can be. These designs are beloved by fashion insiders and art-world experts for their stretchy, pliable micropleats, which deliver an eye-catching texture on top of wear-all-day ease.

Sizes: S–XXL

Colours: Red, black, beige, and more

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BEST CONVERTIBLE WORK DRESS

Me+Em Silk Daisy Polka-Dot Print Maxi Dress

This 100 percent silk dress arrives with three ways to style it: tied in a bow in the front, tied in the back, or left undone. Each option conveys a slightly different attitude—to tailor exactly to your Monday morning mood.

Sizes: 2–12

Colour: Black/cream

BEST COLOURBLOCK WORK DRESS

Frances Valentine Cosy Maxi Dress

Cubicle cosiness ahead. This maxi dress is knit from a plush blend of angora and lambswool, so you’ll feel like you’re swathed in a gorgeous blanket while sitting at your desk. Of course, you’ll look like you’re ready to take on a miles-long to-do list in this dress’s bold combination of pink, cherry red, and black.

Sizes: XS–3X

Colour: Pink multi

What reviewers are saying: “I just absolutely love wearing this sweater dress. It’s soft, cosy, warm and ever so stylish. I think the design and colour palette is classic and edgy at the same time.”

BEST UNDERSTATED WORK DRESS

Toteme Twisted Flannel Dress

Start 2024 strong by putting Toteme’s heathered work dress in your rotation. From the twisted seams that give a layered effect to the soft flannel material, it’s the quiet luxury way to start a work outfit.

Sizes: 30–44

Colours: Gray, navy

BEST PRINTED WORK DRESS

Gucci Interlocking G Chain Dress

Flex your fashion expertise, subtly. This dress’s distinctive chain-link print is made up of tiny interlocking Gs—the same ones adorning your favourite designer bags and loafers.

Sizes: 36–46 IT

Colour: Brown

BEST PLUS-SIZE WRAP WORK DRESS

Pari Passu Belinda Ponte Wrap Dress

Pari Passu is one of the best plus-size brands for classic workwear suited to any office. This wrap dress comes in a soft, opaque fabric with a hint of stretch—plus pockets. Try it with tights and a leather boot or a low kitten heel.

Sizes: 14–22

Colour: Cabaret

BEST BUTTON-UP DRESS

J.Crew Button-Front Shift Dress

J.Crew’s dresses always have a sensibility that works. This button-up shift is office-appropriate, with semi-sheer tights, socks, and a T-strap kitten heel. It’s also polished with nothing but a ballet flat and a few key pieces of silver jewellery.

Sizes: XXS–3X

Colour: Black

BEST WORK DRESS WITH A SLIT

Sézane Piana Dress

Another dress from another of my favourite work clothing stores, Sézane’s purple Piana makes me feel awake on dreary winter days. Taking in the bright violet shade is enough to wake me up on a Monday morning. Tasteful side slits for showing off a great leather boot (or some nice tights) are a nice plus.

Sizes: XS–XXL

Colours: Purple, light beige

BEST SILK WORK DRESS

Tibi Cape-Effect Silk Dress

Any hesitations you have about the bubble-hem revival will be smoothed over by this silk Tibi dress. The chocolate-brown shade and unexpected cape detail make this dress more of a structural statement piece than an overly nostalgic moment.

Sizes: 00–14

Colour: Brown

BEST RUCHED WORK DRESS

Viktor & Rolf Ruched-detail Sleeveless Dress

A form-fitting dress is plenty appropriate for work when it’s coating is a flared maxi with a comfortable ruched bodice and flowy skirt. Something special, indeed.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colours: Cream

BEST LAYERED WORK DRESS

Maje Floral Dress

Look like an expert in layering with a single, coolly constructed garment. This dress’s skirt has pre-tied sleeves that give the appearance of a button-up nonchalantly folded down over a T-shirt.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colour: Black/floral

BEST BALLETIC WORK DRESS

Another Tomorrow Leotard Dress

What you see is a long-sleeved work dress with a pretty scoop neckline and a graceful skirt. What you’re also getting is a fully traceable garment made from the softest organic cotton. When the compliments roll in at the office, you’ll have a lot to tell your colleagues about.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colour: Black

BEST VELVET WORK DRESS

Tory Burch Velvet Dress

When your work style skews retro by way of Mad Men, Tory Burch has the dress best suited to your closet. This velvet mini is threaded with hints of metallic that gently shine under the light—even the overhead fluorescents at your office.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Colour: Ivory/gray metallic

This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.