9 Work Dresses That You Can Wear In Any Office
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While we enjoy the work-from-home life (PJs and pet snuggles all day long!), we’re also pretty happy to be back in the office from time to time. It gives us an excuse to pull a look together, put a fresh face on, and well…leave the house.
But after a loooong few years in the pandemic, we’re in need of some new workwear. Both our bodies and styles have fluctuated, and it’s time for a wardrobe update.
Good news: We’ve found thoughtful dresses you can wear in any workplace, from the skyscraper corner office to the on-the-ground donor meeting. While these may be on the pricier side of your closet, these dresses are also designed to last—from your current position to your next promotion.
Round out your new profesh wardrobe with a reliable pair of loafers and a sustainable tote, and get ready to make a splash when you return to the office.
1. Cuyana
Best For | Neutral, minimalist dresses
Sustainability | GOTS & OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton & modal, family-owned factory & ethical production, Lean Closet initiative, secondhand shop
Our Pick | Silk Wrap Dress ($298)
Size Range | XS–XL
Timeless, modern, and chic. That about sums up Cuyana’s approach to clothing, and we’re here for it. With a focus on capsule pieces that are made with quality materials and by skilled craftspeople around the world, Cuyana’s collection is an easy go-to for the office. The pieces are designed to be neutral and versatile, so they can take you from 9-5 to 5-9. Pair with leggings or layers in the cooler months, and with just a few Cuyana dresses, you have a workwear wardrobe ready to go.
2. EILEEN FISHER
Best For | Midi dresses
Sustainability | Certified B Corp, organic, renewable, & upcycled fabrics, SA8000 certified ethical production & living wages, solar-powered workshops, take-back program, secondhand shop
Our Pick | Crushed Silk Tiered Dress ($378)
Size Range | XXS–3X
EILEEN FISHER is a longtime leader in women’s workwear; the brand’s staples can be mixed and matched for any professional outfit. As a certified B Corp, EF prioritizes the most sustainable materials (TENCEL, Cupro, and linen, anyone?), ethical production, and above all, longevity. Most EF dresses are perfect for even the most conservative boardrooms, hitting at or below the knee while still touting a sleek, stylish silhouette. The Crushed Silk Tiered Dress dress is gorgeous, easy, and will bring a smile to even your grumpiest coworker’s day.
3. Pact
Best For | Shirt dresses
Sustainability | Fair Trade Certified production, GOTS certified organic cotton, low water waste, carbon-offset shipping option, give-back box, eco-friendly packaging
Our Pick | The Coastal Shirt Dress ($98)
Size Range | XS–2X
Looking for something a bit more casual? Pact’s collection may be just up your alley, from polo dresses to shirt dresses. Whatever your preference, Pact offers a variety of dress lengths, colors, and styles—all designed with thoughtful details like hidden pockets or side slits. Like all this brand’s pieces, every dress is made using GOTS-certified organic cotton and in Fair Trade Certified facilities. Not only will you rock these outfits at work, but you’ll also provide sustainable work in the process.
4. People Tree
Best For | UK dresses
Sustainability | GOTS certified organic & sustainable materials, fair trade production, AZO-free dyes, water recycling, give-back box
Our Pick | Kachel Leaf TENCEL Dress (£129)
Size Range | UK 8–16
Based in the UK, People Tree’s dresses are made with care and comfort in mind. These fair trade pieces are sewn together using TENCEL, GOTS-certified organic cotton, and organic linen with a hint of elastane for the most sustainable and supportive styles. Given the UK’s cooler temps, we love these dresses for fall and winter workwear; just add a jumper, tights, and boots, and you’re set for any space. For fans of ruffles and rich colors, stop by here and thank us later. People Tree delivers worldwide.
5. Everlane
Best For | Capsule dresses
Sustainability | GOTS certified organic cotton, bluesign® Systems Partner, Cradle To Cradle Gold Certification, Global Recycling Standard certification of recycled materials, no virgin plastic usage in their supply chain, goal to net zero carbon emissions by 2050
Our Pick | The Organic Cotton Tank Weekend Dress ($58)
Size Range | XXS–XL
Everlane makes sustainable, classic clothes that are made to last beyond trends. These sleek, sophisticated silhouettes are easy to dress up or down for any office culture. From shirt dresses to midi shifts to wrap jumpsuits, there’s something for everyone, and they all come in versatile colorways that can be adapted to every season. The brand has an impressive list of environmental initiatives on their sustainability page, including all their materials programs and certifications. Plus, you can clearly see the environmental impact of each item on the page, whether it was produced in an Ever-Better factory or with reduced water use.
6. Amour Vert
Best For | Patterned dresses
Sustainability | Sustainable & ethically sourced fabrics (TENCEL, Cupro, wool), responsible production in California, plants trees with every purchase, eco-friendly packaging, secondhand shop
Our Pick | Olive Viscose Crepe Dress ($228)
Size Range | XXS–3X
For dozens of dresses that look good on you and do good for the planet, consider Amour Vert. There are over 100+ sustainable styles here, from ¾ sleeve cupro cuts to rib knit dresses that scream cozy comfort. One thing’s for sure: You’re guaranteed to find a dress here that you’ll love, given AV’s line of patterns and styles: cheetah print, florals, abstract lines, stripes, and more. Amour Vert touts silk, repurposed cotton, and ethical wool in its quality pieces, and for more accessible price points, check out the brand’s secondhand platform, ReAmour.
7. LOUDBODIES
Best For | Size-inclusive formal dresses
Sustainability | GOTS & OEKO-TEX certified sustainable materials, ISO & SA8000 certified ethical production, nontoxic dyes, inclusive sizing
Our Pick | “Sofia” Pink Dress ($183)
Size Range | XXS–10XL
LOUDBODIES wants you to be unapologetically yourself, from the bedroom to boardroom. We adore this inclusive brand’s approach to styling everybody in every size, shape, and form—including an option for free custom orders. LOUDBODIES’ dresses run the gamut from long-sleeved flowy midis to tiered off-the-shoulder statement dresses (and there’s also an “affordable line” for pieces that won’t break the bank). Most styles are customizable, available through size 10X, and ethically made using OEKO-TEX and GOTS-certified sustainable materials. For galas, conferences, and formal presentations, you can’t go wrong here.
8. ADAY
Best For | Wrap dresses
Sustainability | Vegan, sustainable & recycled materials, responsible production in Italy
Our Pick | Wind Down Wrap Dress ($225)
Size Range | XS–XL
Heading back to the office five days a week? ADAY has the wardrobe for you. The brand’s linen and LENZING dresses are made to be wrinkle-free, machine-washable, thermo-regulating and suitable for any and all work meetings. The Wrap Dresses are our favorites because they’re effortless, polished, and adjustable, so you can wear them daily. If you aren’t sure which pieces to go for, try ADAY’s quiz for your perfect capsule wardrobe, complete with work-friendly dresses and layers. They’re the investment pieces that show off your most important investment: You.
9. Neu Nomads
Best For | Maxi & slip dresses
Sustainability | Sustainable plant-based fabrics, OEKO-TEX certified dyes, recycled & biodegradable packaging, responsible production
Our Pick | Jana Maxi Dress ($239)
Size Range | XS–XXL
Made by women for women, Neu Nomads looks to luxury goods but with affordable price tags. With an emphasis on a transparent, clean supply chain, this brand’s fabrics are plant-based, the packaging is recycled, and the pieces are produced in family-owned factories. And the dresses themselves? Well, let’s just say you’ll swoon and fawn over every single one—from the silky soft slips that can be effortlessly paired with a blazer to the gowns and jumpsuits for an upscale event. Plus, many come in such stunning colors that you’ll want more than one of each.
Featured image by Cuyana
