When our alarm sounds that it’s time to leave our cloud-like cocoon of a bed and head to the office, we are faced with the first challenge of the day – finding something to wear.
If you’re anything like us, this is a daily struggle that preoccupies far more time in the morning than we care to admit. But there is a simple way to maximise your sleep by creating an army of work-ready dresses.
Workwear has seen a major evolution over the past ten or so years where the definition of office appropriate has loosened since monochromatic suiting dominated the board room.
When it comes to navigating the tricky politics of the workplace wardrobe self-assurance is key. You need something professional but you still need to be comfortable, and you don’t want to spend all day tugging at your hemline or worrying about accidental flashes. You also need to feel confident in what you are wearing.
Ideally the piece will also be transitional – worn from summer to winter – and will take you from your 9 to 5 to your evening plans with ease.
While we are not opposed to the versatility of blouses and trousers, the beauty of the work dress means you only have to worry about one thing. By creating an arsenal of failsafe dresses with an effortless throw-on-and-go quality, you will banish your morning sartorial struggle without adding to your floordrobe of rejected ensembles.
Best Dresses for Work
Bow Wrap Dress
A wrap dress presents ample styling possibilities, and we think this latest addition from Mango deserves to be played on office-repeat.
£59.99 | Mango | Buy it now
See all NEW dresses from Mango
ME + EM Striped Rib Midi Dress
New to the collection but somehow we're already nostalgic about it — fun, professional and a bit unexpected, this might just be office dress of the year.
£169 | ME + EM | Buy it now
Utility Shirt Dress
This one is a no-brainer, simple, chic and classic black. It's an all season performer.
£120 | Karen Millen | Buy it now *On sale, was £180
See all on SALE dresses from Karen Millen
Lenora Pink Midi Dress by Kitri
This classic silhouette is given a feminine touch with a pale sweetheart pink hue and small ties at the arm.
£125 | Harvey Nichols | Buy it now
See all dresses from Kitri at Harvey Nichols
Ribbed Long Dress from Mango
This three quarter sleeve dress makes an ideal transitional piece. The flared design is more comfortable than your average pencil skirt and works just as well with white sneakers as it does with black boots. Win.
Available in charcoal and a light, creamy beige.
£35.99 | Mango | Buy it now
See all NEW dresses from Mango
Lana Red Vintage Dress
Break from all neutral hued associations of workwear with this bold red number in a luxe satin. Equally workable with a loose fitted blazer, denim jacket or light cardi.
£145 | Harvey Nichols | Buy it now
Belted Cotton Shirt Dress
Everyone should own a dress this effortlessly good-looking and easy to care for — if you're a fan of shirt dresses you'll be spoilt for choice this season.
£69 | COS | Buy it now
Knitted V Neck Sleeveless Dress
A dress with pockets that doesn't make you look like a kangaroo is a wise and welcome purchase. Turtle neck? Fitted white tee? The options are endless.
£14.90 | Uniqlo | Buy it now
Louche Fleur Cotton Midi Dress
Patch pockets and contrasting buttons elevate this otherwise simple dress that offers the optimal balance for smart-casual workwear.
£55 | Joy | Buy it now
Pure Silk Tunic Dress
Putting a luxe twist on your workwear uniform, this tunic silhouette is offered in a sumptuous silk. Easily dressed up or played down depending on accessories and heel height.
£99 | M&S | Buy it now
Monochrome Dress
Flats and a denim jacket for summer or boots and a fluffy jumper for winter. Sorted.
£49.95 | Mango | Buy it now
See all NEW dresses from Mango
Brown Animal Print Dress
Make bold prints an integral part of your office wardrobe with this leopard print number from Wallis.
£48 | Wallis | Buy it now
Floral Crêpe Dress
This versatile collared dress will take you from day to play and the boardroom to the beach with its vibrant floral design.
£115 | Arket | Buy it now
Olivia Rubin Ines leopard-print crepe midi dress
In line with Olivia Rubin’s signature bold aesthetic, this dress will make a fierce and daring addition to your work dress collection.
£295 | Selfridges | Buy it now
See all work dresses from Selfridges from just £30
Cotton shirt dress
A shirt dress will always bring an element of sophistication to your look and this pale blue iteration from Mango is an ideal throw-on-and-go piece.
£49.99 | Mango | Buy it now
See all NEW dresses from Mango
Ted Baker Peplum-waist checked woven dress
Made all the more chic with the checked designed and peplum addition — this Ted Baker dress is made for the boardroom boss.
£179 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Claudie Pierlot Roseane bow-detail crepe mini dress
Raise the style stakes in your office with this bold red Claudie Pierlot dress that has the added playful detail of a bow.
£239 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Lapel Neck Dress
A different take on the office favourite shirt dress. Wear bare legged for warmer months or with a pair of brightly coloured ribbed tights for cooler months.
Available in navy and olive green.
£69 | COS | Buy it now
Graphic Zebra Shirt Dress
Go wild with your urban uniform and opt for something slightly out of the box in the shape of this zebra print shirt dress.
£159 | Whistles | Buy it now
Lyocell Nylon Belted Dress
Redefine workwear with this utility-chic dress with a tie belt for flattering cinching.
£89 | Arket | Buy it now
Buttoned midi dress
This black midi dress is one of those easy to style pieces that you will be able to create a new look every time you wear it.
£49.99 | Mango | Buy it now
Floral Midi Flippy Dress
Florals for spring, floral for winter, this all year round dress has an understated piece is designed for am to pm living.
£49 | Warehouse | Buy it now
Ditsy Blossom Midi Shirt Dress
Liven up your monotone workwear by adding this green-hued floral dress from Whistles.
£155 | Whistles | Buy it now
Etta Cotton Poplin Dress
You really can’t go wrong with this chic, easy-to-wear dress that has a kimono-like silhouette with a waist belt for cinching.
£295 | Joseph | Buy it now
Lustrous Gathered Shirt Dress
When you’re racing to work, throw on this regular-fit shirt style dress with a gathered skirt and you be ready and rearing to go in an instant.
£79 | Arket | Buy it now
Flowy Wrap Midi Dress
Proving that your workwear does not need to be boring, this & Other Stories dress is offered in a pale blue hue yet still feels office appropriate.
£69 | & Other Stories | Buy it now
Margot Animal Print Button Dress
For that piece that will take you from your office hours to happy hour, this leopard print dress from Monsoon will become your go-to.
£65 | Monsoon | Buy it now
Stine Goya Baily belted floral-print satin dress
When sophistication meets subtle femininity, this daisy print dress is offered in one of the colours of the season, a sky blue hue.
£260 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now
Heart Wrap Dress
Answer all work related woes with this simple but chic heart print wrap dress that you can throw on in the morning for an easy win.
£39 | Topshop | Buy it now
Black Floral Chiffon Midi Smock Dress
Dress up and down with shoes and accessories for a versatile look for any occasion.
£27.99 | New Look | Buy it now
Black Polka Dot Midi Shirt Dress
Polka dots have a timeless elegance – you only need to look to that Zara dress to see their universal appeal. For a more sophisticated take on the look, this Wallis dress nails it.
£48 | Wallis | Buy it now
Mellie Bead Print Midi Dress
Elevate your office look with a geometric print dress with a self-tie belt.
£225 | Reiss | Buy it now
Floral Print Cluster Midi Dress
Proving that floral print is no longer reserved for summer alone – enter this piece into your work wear rotation.
£39 | Topshop | Buy it now
Floral print dress
Breezy in summer but covered up enough in winter that you don’t freeze – this is the all-rounder you need in your office-related clothing arsenal.
£59.99 | Mango | Buy it now
Maje Rosila daisy print crepe maxi dress
Solve your daily sartorial panic with this daisy-print dress from Maje with a gathered waistline and subtle side slits.
£239 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Bettina Floral Print Jersey Dress
We think this all-over floral print will win over even the most colourphobic among you due to its chic and vibrant design.
£60 | Monsoon | Buy it now
Cefinn Floral-print silk crepe de chine midi dress
Feel confident from head to toe in this abstract floral design dress.
£390 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now
Peony Floral Printed Dress
Play to any and all office related dress codes with this LBD given a colourful twist with a floral design.
£165 | Reiss | Buy it now
Split sleeve midi dress
This ASOS navy dresses exudes sophistication and will help you nail any more formal dress codes.
£38 | ASOS | Buy it now
Wide Poplin Dress
You never really know what the British weather will throw at you but this dress is one of those all-year-round piece – just pair with tights and boots in winter or opt for sandals in summer.
£79 | Arket | Buy it now
Floral Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
Make that summer feeling last all year long with this green toned floral dress with puff sleeve details from & Other Stories.
£79 | & Other Stories | Buy it now
Percy Spot Print Button Dress
Getting dresses in the morning has never been easier with this fun polka addition.
£70 | Monsoon | Buy it now
Floral Jersey Shirt Dress
This midi jersey length has an eye-catching design that ensures you only have to think about this one piece and you are ready to go.
£89 | Arket | Buy it now
Scattered Daisy Midi Dress
For a fresh take on formalwear, this blue hued piece is embellished with a daisy print.
£159 | Whistles | Buy it now
Monica Print Button Midi Dress
Add more unique prints into your wardrobe with this tile design dress from Monsoon.
£65 | Monsoon | Buy it now
Second Female Akana Floral-Print Dress
This floral print dress from Scandi label Second Female is an effortlessly chic piece that will take you from desk to drinks.
£135 | Anthropologie | Buy it now
Heart Wrap Blouse Dress
Warm weather officewear will no longer be a struggle with this adorable heart print dress.
£52 | Oasis | Buy it now
Lana Polka Dot Vintage Dress
There is just something incredibly chic about this vintage-inspired piece from Kitri. From the polka dot design, to the peplum detail, it’s a yes from us.
£145 | Harvey Nichols | Buy it now
Grace Silk Crepe Dress
Dressing for work is a struggle – and particularly in summer – but this silk crepe dress oozes sophistication and elegance.
£545 | Joseph | Buy it now
