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 [1], 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 [2]. 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 [3] ($45, originally $60)
J.Crew Belted Button-Up Dress in Tipped End-On-End Cotton
J.Crew Belted Button-Up Dress in Tipped End-On-End Cotton [4] ($138)
Theory Classic Chino Volume Dart Dress
Theory Classic Chino Volume Dart Dress [5] ($465)
Gal Meets Glam Collection Kathleen Button Front A-Line Dress
Gal Meets Glam Collection Kathleen Button Front A-Line Dress [6] ($178)
Rejina Pyo Michaela Dress
Rejina Pyo Michaela Dress [7] ($835)
French Connection Southside Cotton Belted Dress
French Connection Southside Cotton Belted Dress [8] ($138)
Nicholas Smocked Panel Dress
Nicholas Smocked Panel Dress [9] ($498)
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress [10] ($45, originally $60)
Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Long-Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress
Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Long-Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress [11] ($110)
Nanushka Nata Cotton-Blend Voile Midi Dress
Nanushka Nata Cotton-Blend Voile Midi Dress [12] ($450)
POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress
POPSUGAR Asymmetrical Ruffle Hem Dress [13] ($51, originally $68)
Rebecca Taylor Tailored Stretch Linen Blend Dress
Rebecca Taylor Tailored Stretch Linen Blend Dress [14] ($450)
Kamperett Rooftop Dress
Kamperett Rooftop Dress [15] ($420)
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress
POPSUGAR Belted Button-Down Dress [16] ($45, originally $60)
Mr. Larkin Mamie Dress
Mr. Larkin Mamie Dress [17] ($340)
Tory Burch Striped Polo Dress
Tory Burch Striped Polo Dress [18] ($448)
LOFT Floral Cap Sleeve Slit Dress
LOFT Floral Cap Sleeve Slit Dress [19] ($69.50)
Staud Sandy Robe
Staud Sandy Robe [20] ($325)
Massimo Dutti Buttoned Dress With Tie Belt
Massimo Dutti Buttoned Dress With Tie Belt [21] ($150)
Albus Lumen Azul Ribbed Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress
Albus Lumen Azul Ribbed Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress [22] ($384 )
3.1 Phillip Lim T-Shirt Combo Poplin Dress
3.1 Phillip Lim T-Shirt Combo Poplin Dress [23] ($550)
Merlette Lante Tie-Waist Cotton Dress
Merlette Lante Tie-Waist Cotton Dress [24] ($440)
Mango Buttoned Linen-Blend Dress
Mango Buttoned Linen-Blend Dress [25] ($99.99)
Club Monaco Shoanah Dress
Club Monaco Shoanah Dress [26] ($329)
Rouje Paloma Dress
Rouje Paloma Dress [27] ($195)
Mara Hoffman Michelle Dress
Mara Hoffman Michelle Dress [28] ($495)
Joseph Claudi Asymmetric Striped Poplin Wrap Dress
Joseph Claudi Asymmetric Striped Poplin Wrap Dress [29] ($895)
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Sleeveless Shirt Dress [30] ($45, originally $60)
Xirena Winslow Dress
Xirena Winslow Dress [31] ($276)
HVN Sunflower Long Maria Dress
HVN Sunflower Long Maria Dress [32] ($775)
Vince Short Sleeve Utility Shirt Dress
Vince Short Sleeve Utility Shirt Dress [33] ($325)
Kowtow Wandering Dress
Kowtow Wandering Dress [34] ($329)
Eliza J Stripe Plus Size Smocked Waist Shirtdress
Eliza J Stripe Plus Size Smocked Waist Shirtdress [35] ($168)
Current/Elliott Ana Maxi Dress
Current/Elliott Ana Maxi Dress [36] ($398)
Wilfred Tavin Belted Linen-Blend Midi Dress
Wilfred Tavin Belted Linen-Blend Midi Dress
[37] ($168)
Dodo Bar Or Constanza Dress
Dodo Bar Or Constanza Dress [38] ($597)
Birds of Paradis Meadow Dolman Dress
Birds of Paradis Meadow Dolman Dress [39] ($299)
OZMA Judd Dress
OZMA Judd Dress [40] ($255)
Veronica Beard Ruched Stripe Shirtdress
Veronica Beard Ruched Stripe Shirtdress [41] ($450)
Equipment Nauman Dress
Equipment Nauman Dress [42] ($395)
Cefinn Freya Tie-Waist Voile Midi Dress
Cefinn Freya Tie-Waist Voile Midi Dress [43] ($343 )
Claudia Li Wrap Dress
Claudia Li Wrap Dress [44] ($995)