Let's be honest. Warm weather is wonderful, but the prospect of choosing what to wear to work when it's sweltering outside? Well, that's a whole different story. There's so much to consider when you're trying to pick a professional outfit to wear to the office—e.g., what will keep you from sweating while commuting on the subway and still adhere to your office's dress code—that it can feel like another full-time job. On top of that, we all know that some business clothing can be, well, boring to the point that it makes getting dressed stressful. However, I'm here to tell you that you don't have to break a sweat in order to have a solid work wardrobe for the spring and summer. The solution is actually straightforward: invest in professional dresses.
No other staple can strike a balance between being suitable for warm weather and appropriate for work settings like a dress. While there are certain types of dresses you'd likely want to avoid—sorry, strapless, halter, and spaghetti-strap dresses—some styles are just formal enough to show your HR department you're standing on business. In an effort to help you identify them, I've searched high and low to find the best professional dresses for every budget and type of workspace. Ahead, you'll find a curation of casual and formal dresses to ensure that your warm-weather style gets a promotion this season (and maybe you will too).
Under $250
Professional indeed.
Pleated dresses are always polished.
Clothing with intentional wrinkles is quite chic, amirite?
The gold buttons didn't need to go that hard, but okay!
If you're going to wear a minidress to work, try to look for one that fits the following criteria: long sleeves, high neckline, and the hemline reaches past your fingertips.
Maxi dresses are made for the office.
It's made from a lightweight material, so you won't have to worry about sweating.
Simple but stunning.
Workin' girls, apply here.
Sweltering summer days will have nothing on this sweet number.
It also comes in black and olive, BTW.
Printed wrap dresses are perfect for the office.
You can't go wrong with a shirtdress.
A dress that can be worn from the office to the outdoor patio.
Barbie, but make it corporate.
Under $500
Pinstripes on point.
Personally, Ninety Percent is my favorite place to shop for professional dresses.
Pro tip: Look for dresses with boat necklines to ensure they're office-appropriate.
Buckle up, buttercup.
Not your run-of-the-mill shirtdress.
The perfect little wrap dress.
Bold prints will help you stand out in the boardroom.
White dresses can be work-friendly if you opt for more modest silhouttes.
So pretty.
Waistcoat-inspired dresses are a wonderful option for summer.
Worth Investing In
The ribbed material makes it ideal for transitional weather and cool days in early spring, summer evenings, or even early fall.
It doesn't get more timeless than a black shirtdress.
Office siren energy, attained.
Chic, chic, chic.
A modest black dress is a must-have for any work wardrobe.
This color!
It's designed to be washable, making it the easiest item to maintain in your work wardrobe.
God, this dress is so good.
If you're worried about the back of this dress being a bit risqué, I'd recommend adding a blazer.
It's just spicy enough without you having to worry about getting the side-eye from HR.
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