From 9 to 5 (And Beyond): The Best Work Dresses for Women
Polished and powerful looks await!
Dressing for the office can be tough. On the one hand, you don’t want to sacrifice your personal style. On the other, you want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the work space — and your age. Discover how to find the best dress for your body and a few shoppable dresses you can wear to work!
Choosing the Right Work Dress for You
Most experts advise choosing outfits you feel both at-ease and confident in when you’re headed to work. “You want to be able to walk into a room and feel really comfortable,” shopping expert Tiffany Yannetta told CNBC. “That’s the most important thing.”
If you’re constantly tugging at a too-short dress or an ill-fitting shoulder that keeps falling down, you’re likely not going to come across as the capable, self-assured woman you really are.
Needless to say, when shopping for a work dress, you’ll want to choose something that both fits well and keeps you covered. While it’s usually a safe bet to keep your hemlines no higher than 1 to 2 inches above the knee, more mature women may choose to go even longer with a tried-and-true, below-the-knee fit.
As stylist Paul Cavaco told Town & Country, “I think that after a certain age your skirt should really be at or below the knee, no matter how beautiful your legs are. It looks more appropriate and it doesn’t look like you’re trying to look young.”
When it comes to your upper half, there are also plenty of three-quarter or long-sleeve options that will work just as well for those that are uncomfortable with showing off their arms — if you know where to look.
Don’t Be Afraid to Have Fun
While you want to abide by the dress code when you’re on the job, it doesn’t mean you need to show up wrapped in a burlap sack. If you’re not into the more traditional tailored fits of a typical work dress, show off your shape with a great A-Line that will highlight your waist!
“When you reach a certain age it’s especially important that everything is fitted for you,” Cavaco said. “If clothes are fitted well, then a lot of the things that are problematic are no longer problematic.”
You should also feel free to take risks with your fabrics. “I wish older women would wear more colors, prints, and designs,” Andrew Gelwicks, fashion stylist, told T&C. “I think a lot of women feel like they kind of have to disappear or turn down their looks, but that’s not true.”
Maybe that means swapping out your all-black sheath dress for a bold yellow hue, or adding some chic pockets into the mix — go ahead and get playful with your workwear staples. You’ll feel more “you” and in turn be more comfortable, allowing you to focus on the tasks you’ve got ahead of you at the office.
Whether you’re looking for a work dress with sleeves or a belt, one that hits below the knees, a flared work dress or something more tailored, we’ve got an option that’s right for you. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s top choices for the best work dresses for work over 45.
Long-Sleeve Work Dresses
Boden Imogen Collared Jersey Dress
Finding a long-sleeve dress for work that’s also stylish can be a real challenge, but this Boden dress hits all of our checkpoints. Not only will it keep your arms covered with its three-quarter sleeves, which are great for any season, it features an attractive tie waist and comes in solid and prints to match your style.
Quince 100% Silk Jersey Mini Wrap Dress
Though experts advise splurging on wardrobe details such as handbags, shoes and belts, you can totally get away with being thrifty as far as your work dresses are concerned. This wrap dress from Quince looks every bit as professional as the pricer versions. It’s also made of a breathable silk jersey that will keep you cool and comfortable as you go about your daily tasks.
A-Line Work Dresses
Adrianna by Adrianna Papell Women’s Lace-Trim Tiered Dress
They say looking like a boss is all about the finer points, and this Adrianna Papell work dress has plenty of them, thanks to its built-in belt and structured tiers. Though slightly shorter than some alternate options on our list, it’s got longer sleeves to balance out the length and fits to your form for a great tailored look.
Body by Miraclesuit Remi Fit & Flair Shaping Dress in Black
Pear-shaped women will love the exaggerated flare of this body-shaping dress, while women on-the-go are sure to delight in its built-in shelf bra and full-body sculpting — no shapewear required. It’s also machine washable, giving you a mid-week break from the dry cleaners when you need it.
Below-the-Knee Work Dresses
Simply Vera Vera Wang Short Sleeve Maxi Dress
For your more casual work days, you can’t go wrong with this floral Vera Wang pick. Its pretty floral pattern, puff sleeves, and soft, flowy fit give off a more elegant, feminine feel.
Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic Cap Sleeve Wrap Dress
With more than 2,000 reviews on Amazon, this find is the mass retailer site’s number one seller for women’s work dresses. It’s not hard to see why: A whopping seven colors and prints (!) means you’re sure to find one that suits your personality. Plus, its clever wrap fit is great for those that want to show off their shape without showing off their tummies.
INSPIRE CHIC Women’s Two Piece Outfits Open Front Cardigan and Party Evening Wedding Guest Bodycon Dress
On colder days, opt for this structured two-piece set, which pairs an embroidered waist-length blazer with a flattering below-the-knee sheath dress for one seriously winning combo. Not only will you look sharp all day long in your cubicle, you can easily transition your outfit for an after-hours dinner by removing the jacket.
Tailored Work Dresses
Lauren Ralph Lauren Women’s Linen Shirtdress
Ralph Lauren knows business chic, and this fit-and-flare shirtdress from the Lauren Ralph Lauren collection is no exception. It’s got a unique self-extended tie at the waist that will give your look that added little bit of polish, and a below-the-knee fit that will turn heads for all the right reasons.
Ann Taylor Crepe Twist Sheath Dress
Ann Taylor has an entire section devoted to work dresses, but we especially love this slimming ponte sheath dress. It features a unique notched neckline to give it some flair. Plus it has a great hem-length and comes in eye-catching shades like Zephyr Blue and Night Sky.
Want more dresses? Keep reading:
A Disney Dream Come True! Lilly Hearts Disney Collection Debuts ‘Zesty’ Dresses, Rompers, and More
Nordstrom Mother of the Bride Dresses: Elegant Styles for Every Taste
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.