43 Stylish Summer Work Dresses That Are HR Approved
Let me paint you a little picture. It's summer. It's hot AF. But you're an employed person who has to go an office most days to earn a living, thus making summer work attire a very important category in your wardrobe. As someone who spent a number of years as an employed person, I can attest to the challenges of finding comfortable office attire that's both breathable and professional. If you must know, I have also been a self-employed person who can attest to the joys of working at my dining room table sans pants. But that's neither here nor there.
Since there's nothing worse than corporate suits, stiff button downs, and stifling pants in thick, soupy weather, dresses are the answer to summer work dressing woes. While there are plenty of adorable silhouettes hitting the new arrivals sections right now, the majority of them are better suited to vacations, weekends, and weddings rather than cubicles and conference rooms. Or, they're made from fabrics that, while seemingly lightweight, actually serve as breeze barrier preventing any and all air-flow from cooling your body down after a sweat-inducing commute (can you tell I take NYC's charming Subway to work?). Anyway . . .
Ahead, I've assembled an edit of 43 summer work dresses made from breathable fabrics or cut for a not-too-clingy fit, including my favorite under-$50 styles from the POPSUGAR at Kohl's collection. Do some of these styles look like an office-approved nightgown? Maybe. But with a great shoe and jewelry, do you care? Definitely not.
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress ($45, originally $60)
J.Crew Belted Button-Up Dress in Tipped End-on-End Cotton
Theory Classic Chino Volume Dart Dress
Gal Meets Glam Collection Kathleen Button Front A-Line Dress
French Connection Southside Cotton Belted Dress
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress ($45, originally $60)
Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Long-Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress
Kate Spade New York Gingham Spade Tie-Back Dress
Nanushka Nata Cotton-Blend Voile Midi Dress
POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress
POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress ($51, originally $68)
Rebecca Taylor Tailored Stretch Linen Blend Dress
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress ($45, originally $60)
Tory Burch Striped Polo Dress
Loft Floral Cap Sleeve Slit Dress
Massimo Dutti Buttoned Dress With Tie Belt
Albus Lumen Azul Ribbed Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress
3.1 Phillip Lim T-Shirt Combo Poplin Dress
Merlette Lante Tie-Waist Cotton Dress
Mango Buttoned Linen-Blend Dress
Joseph Claudi Asymmetric Striped Poplin Wrap Dress
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress ($45, originally $60)