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Stylish Summer Work Dresses

43 Stylish Summer Work Dresses That Are HR-Approved

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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 holidays, 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 favourite under-$50 styles from the POPSUGAR at Kohl's collection. Do some of these styles look like an office-approved muumuu? Maybe. But with a great shoe and jewellery, do you care? Definitely not.

POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress

POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress ($45, originally $60)

Image Source: kohls.com
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress
$45
from kohls.com
Buy Now

J.Crew Belted Button-Up Dress in Tipped End-On-End Cotton

J.Crew Belted Button-Up Dress in Tipped End-On-End Cotton ($138)

Image Source: jcrew.com
J.Crew Belted Button-Up Dress in Tipped End-On-End Cotton
$138
from jcrew.com
Buy Now

Theory Classic Chino Volume Dart Dress

Theory Classic Chino Volume Dart Dress ($465)

Image Source: theory.com
Theory Classic Chino Volume Dart Dress
$465
from theory.com
Buy Now

Gal Meets Glam Collection Kathleen Button Front A-Line Dress

Gal Meets Glam Collection Kathleen Button Front A-Line Dress ($178)

Image Source: shop.nordstrom.com
Gal Meets Glam Collection Kathleen Button Front A-Line Dress
$178
from shop.nordstrom.com
Buy Now

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Rejina Pyo Michaela Dress

Rejina Pyo Michaela Dress ($835)

Image Source: shopbop.com
Rejina Pyo Michaela Dress
$835
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

French Connection Southside Cotton Belted Dress

French Connection Southside Cotton Belted Dress ($138)

French Connection Southside Cotton Belted Dress
$138
from usa.frenchconnection.com
Buy Now

Nicholas Smocked Panel Dress

Nicholas Smocked Panel Dress ($498)

Image Source: shopbop.com
Nicholas Smocked Panel Dress
$498
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress

POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress ($45, originally $60)

Image Source: kohls.com
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress
$45
from kohls.com
Buy Now

Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Long-Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress

Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Long-Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress ($110)

Image Source: everlane.com
Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Long-Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress
$110
from everlane.com
Buy Now

Nanushka Nata Cotton-Blend Voile Midi Dress

Nanushka Nata Cotton-Blend Voile Midi Dress ($450)

Image Source: Net-a-Porter.com
Nanushka Nata Cotton-Blend Voile Midi Dress
$450
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress

POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress ($51, originally $68)

Image Source: kohls.com
POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress
$51
from kohls.com
Buy Now

Rebecca Taylor Tailored Stretch Linen Blend Dress

Rebecca Taylor Tailored Stretch Linen Blend Dress ($450)

Image Source: rebeccataylor.com
Rebecca Taylor Tailored Stretch Linen Blend Dress
$450
from rebeccataylor.com
Buy Now

Kamperett Rooftop Dress

Kamperett Rooftop Dress ($420)

Image Source: kamperett.com
Kamperett Rooftop Dress
$420
from kamperett.com
Buy Now

POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress

POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress ($45, originally $60)

Image Source: kohls.com
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress
$45
from kohls.com
Buy Now

Mr. Larkin Mamie Dress

Mr. Larkin Mamie Dress ($340)

Image Source: mrlarkin.net
Mr. Larkin Mamie Dress
$340
from mrlarkin.net
Buy Now

Tory Burch Striped Polo Dress

Tory Burch Striped Polo Dress ($448)

Image Source: toryburch.com
Tory Burch Striped Polo Dress
$448
from toryburch.com
Buy Now

LOFT Floral Cap Sleeve Slit Dress

LOFT Floral Cap Sleeve Slit Dress ($69.50)

Image Source: loft.com
LOFT Floral Cap Sleeve Slit Dress
$69.50
from loft.com
Buy Now

Staud Sandy Robe

Staud Sandy Robe ($325)

Image Source: staud.clothing
Staud Sandy Robe
$325
from staud.clothing
Buy Now

Massimo Dutti Buttoned Dress With Tie Belt

Massimo Dutti Buttoned Dress With Tie Belt ($150)

Image Source: massimodutti.com
Massimo Dutti Buttoned Dress With Tie Belt
$150
from massimodutti.com
Buy Now

Albus Lumen Azul Ribbed Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress

Albus Lumen Azul Ribbed Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress ($384 )

Image Source: matchesfashion.com
Albus Lumen Azul Ribbed Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress
$384
from matchesfashion.com
Buy Now

3.1 Phillip Lim T-Shirt Combo Poplin Dress

3.1 Phillip Lim T-Shirt Combo Poplin Dress ($550)

Image Source: shopbop.com
3.1 Phillip Lim T-Shirt Combo Poplin Dress
$550
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

Merlette Lante Tie-Waist Cotton Dress

Merlette Lante Tie-Waist Cotton Dress ($440)

Image Source: matchesfashion.com
Merlette Lante Tie-Waist Cotton Dress
$440
from matchesfashion.com
Buy Now

Mango Buttoned Linen-Blend Dress

Mango Buttoned Linen-Blend Dress ($99.99)

Image Source: shop.mango.com
Mango Buttoned Linen-Blend Dress
$99.99
from shop.mango.com
Buy Now

Club Monaco Shoanah Dress

Club Monaco Shoanah Dress ($329)

Image Source: clubmonaco.com
Club Monaco Shoanah Dress
$329
from clubmonaco.com
Buy Now

Rouje Paloma Dress

Rouje Paloma Dress ($195)

Image Source: rouje.com
Rouje Paloma Dress
$195
from rouje.com
Buy Now

Mara Hoffman Michelle Dress

Mara Hoffman Michelle Dress ($495)

Image Source: marahoffman.com
Mara Hoffman Michelle Dress
$495
from marahoffman.com
Buy Now

Joseph Claudi Asymmetric Striped Poplin Wrap Dress

Joseph Claudi Asymmetric Striped Poplin Wrap Dress ($895)

Image Source: Net-a-Porter.com
Joseph Claudi Asymmetric Striped Poplin Wrap Dress
$895
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress

POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress ($45, originally $60)

Image Source: kohls.com
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress
$45
from kohls.com
Buy Now

Xirena Winslow Dress

Xirena Winslow Dress ($276)

Image Source: shopbop.com
Xirena Winslow Dress
$276
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

HVN Sunflower Long Maria Dress

HVN Sunflower Long Maria Dress ($775)

Image Source: hvnlabel.com
HVN Sunflower Long Maria Dress
$775
from hvnlabel.com
Buy Now

Vince Short Sleeve Utility Shirt Dress

Vince Short Sleeve Utility Shirt Dress ($325)

Image Source: vince.com
Vince Short Sleeve Utility Shirt Dress
$325
from vince.com
Buy Now

Kowtow Wandering Dress

Kowtow Wandering Dress ($329)

Image Source: us.kowtowclothing.com
Kowtow Wandering Dress
$329
from us.kowtowclothing.com
Buy Now

Eliza J Stripe Plus Size Smocked Waist Shirtdress

Eliza J Stripe Plus Size Smocked Waist Shirtdress ($168)

Image Source: shop.nordstrom.com
Eliza J Stripe Plus Size Smocked Waist Shirtdress
$168
from shop.nordstrom.com
Buy Now

Current/Elliott Ana Maxi Dress

Current/Elliott Ana Maxi Dress ($398)

Image Source: shopbop.com
Current/Elliott Ana Maxi Dress
$398
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

Wilfred Tavin Belted Linen-Blend Midi Dress

Wilfred Tavin Belted Linen-Blend Midi Dress
($168)

Image Source: aritzia.com
Wilfred Tavin Belted Linen-Blend Midi Dress
$168
from aritzia.com
Buy Now

Dodo Bar Or Constanza Dress

Dodo Bar Or Constanza Dress ($597)

Image Source: 11honore.com
Dodo Bar Or Constanza Dress
$597
from 11honoure.com
Buy Now

Birds of Paradis Meadow Dolman Dress

Birds of Paradis Meadow Dolman Dress ($299)

Image Source: shopbop.com
Birds of Paradis Meadow Dolman Dress
$299
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

OZMA Judd Dress

OZMA Judd Dress ($255)

Image Source: ozmaofcalifornia.com
OZMA Judd Dress
$255
from ozmaofcalifornia.com
Buy Now

Veronica Beard Ruched Stripe Shirtdress

Veronica Beard Ruched Stripe Shirtdress ($450)

Image Source: shop.nordstrom.com
Veronica Beard Ruched Stripe Shirtdress
$450
from shop.nordstrom.com
Buy Now

Equipment Nauman Dress

Equipment Nauman Dress ($395)

Image Source: shopbop.com
Equipment Nauman Dress
$395
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

Cefinn Freya Tie-Waist Voile Midi Dress

Cefinn Freya Tie-Waist Voile Midi Dress ($343 )

Image Source: matchesfashion.com
Cefinn Freya Tie-Waist Voile Midi Dress
$343
from matchesfashion.com
Buy Now

Claudia Li Wrap Dress

Claudia Li Wrap Dress ($995)

Image Source: shop.claudia-li.com
Claudia Li Wrap Dress
$995
from shop.claudia-li.com
Buy Now

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