If there’s one place you should always be dressing up for, it should be your office. For most people though, that’s not the case as you get more comfortable with the environment and the people you work with. It doesn’t help that you have to do it every single day, but that’s why the people who make an effort to look their best are often the ones who does their work best.
Indeed, there’s power in wearing something you feel good in. But the impact is more felt when what you feel good in also looks dashing for other people. If you’re having issues attaining these two, don’t worry. These fashionable designer formal dresses won’t only give you motivation to show up for work, but walk in looking your best as well.
MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Stretch-silk crepe midi dress
Price: US$1,995.00
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Nothing is more girlboss than a bright pink dress that hugs your curves in all the right places and gives you the best silhouette that gets everyone noticing you when you walk in the office. Born out of Michael Kors’ Collection, this sleeveless midi dress puts an extremely feminine twist on the professional office dress.
VALENTINO sheer panel dress
Price: US$6,366.00
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A rebel never thrives in an office setting but this dress allows you to work your way around the dress code to express your style without completely breaking the rules. The sheer lace and tulle overlays on the neck and sleeves give the simple strap dress silhouette a renewed appearance.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Wool-blend cady mini dress
Price: US$2,295.00
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The traditional office environment often calls for dreadful colors like blacks and grays. Maybe that’s why you don’t have as much motivation sometimes, both to dress up and go to work. Consider this ivory Cady dress designed by Sarah Burton to upgrade your mood and motivation. Yes, that’s the Sarah Burton that designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress.
FENDI flared fitted dress
Price:US$1,100.00
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Why do you think applying red lipstick instantly changes your mood? There’s a certain rush of confidence when you wear it. Sometimes, it ramps up your seduction game but the color is not always solely for that purpose. With this dress, it’s more associated with power than anything else. Wear this to the office and get used to feeling invincible until it eventually comes naturally to you.
GIVENCHY embellished V-neck dress
Price: US$4,300.00
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If you work in an office, all-black outfits don’t surprise you anymore. You’ve probably seen it all. Even dresses and suits don’t faze you anymore when you see a co-worker rocking the styles in their own way. If you want to stand out in black, this deep V-neck mini dress makes use of your own skin and some crystal embellishments to really differentiate your outfit from everyone else’s.
VICTORIA BECKHAM Stretch-jersey midi dress
Price: US$1,650.00
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Victoria Beckham is a good model for the kind of girlboss that every woman should aspire to be. Every piece from her brand captures her style and this dress is no exception. The stretch-jersey fabric molds itself onto your body to highlight your shape and even the ruches created from it doubles as design. For the plain black dress, the asymmetric neckline provides an interesting touch.
MAX MARA Zarina ruffled stretch-wool dress
Price: US$965.00
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Max Mara’s royal blue Zarina dress can be described as a picture-perfect example of professionalism. This tight-fitting style can be easily spotted on office girls in the business district of every city. It’s that common but this piece in particular uses a unique detail in the soft ruffles on the front that bounces as you walk or moves as the wind blows.
SAINT LAURENT asymmetric mini dress
Price: US$3,770.00
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Saint Laurent proves that padded shoulders are not as bad as most people think through the boxy shoulders of this dress. The tailored look of the high round neck and structured shoulders are contrasted by the asymmetric hem and playful ruching at one side of the waist, imitating pleats. The back incorporates a surprising detail in the long keyhole that also fastens the dress.
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Virginia draped crepe dress
Price: US$1,190.00
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Vivienne Westwood’s Virginia dress mimics the antique sound of its name and the innate and natural formality of the brand. Made with dusty-pink crepe, this dress plays with flow and structure as the neckline drapes down and the waist ruches in a tight fit while the the shoulders are padded in a boxy silhouette and the rest is tailored with two vents at the back.
GUCCI ruffled dress
Price: US$3,200.00
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This Gucci dress gives you everything you want in an office dress and more. The stand collar runs down as flowy swirls on the front with white buttoned cuffs at your wrists. It gives the illusion of layers so you don’t need an inner shirt and blazer to achieve the look.
ALTUZARRA Marceau asymmetric striped cotton-blend dress
Price: US$1,195.00
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There’s no rule about your black and white office outfit combos being solid colors put together. Incorporate prints while maintaining that monochrome palette with the Marceau dress with vertical stripe, V-necklines in the front and back, and wrap illusion asymmetric hem.
SAINT LAURENT studded shoulder shift dress
Price: US$2,590.00
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At first glance you would expect this shift dress to be a two-piece outfit with the top tucked into the pencil skirt. In actuality it’s a quick and simple slip-on dress that stacks up texture in the studded shoulders and ruched skirt. A keyhole detail at the back adds a little surprise.
ROLAND MOURET Barnsley cutout stretch-knit dress
Price: US$2,395.00
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Roland Mouret‘s Barnsley dress makes itself a standout with the hard-to-miss neckline and shoulder details. It manages to make a cold-shoulder cutout on one side and a slanted thick strap on the other without looking odd and confusing. Don’t forget to expose the long zip fastening at the back that’s a brand signature in itself.
DOLCE & GABBANA flared dress
Price: US$2,075.00
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Three-quarter sleeves, a boat neck, and an A-line skirt. We’ve all seen this before but Dolce & Gabbana puts a twist on it with the large button-down fastening at the back. Wear a belt to really emphasize the cinched waist and also give a little eye candy at the front.
MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Origami belted draped wool-blend crepe dress
Price: US$2,250.00
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This Origami dress retains its structure and shape as is through the soft and flexible wool-blend crepe. No crease nor folds will show through no matter how long you sit at your desk. The ruffled wrap-effect skirt exposes the length of your left thigh in a fashionable but still serious way. It’s separated from the top by the shiny belt that comes with the dress, which contrasts the dress’ matte appearance.
VALENTINO lace panel long sleeve dress
Price: US$3,490.00
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You can take note of Valentino as one of those brands whose dresses never disappoint. This dress may not be in their signature red color but it still delivers on the seductiveness with the silk material, slim-fitting long-sleeves, and height-lengthening midi skirt, especially when paired with statement heels.
OSCAR DE LA RENTA Tulle-paneled cutout wool-blend dress
Price: US$2,590.00
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Expect to see a lot of flared sleeves this summer. It’s not specifically a major trend this year but we’re seeing more of it and expecting it to be on the top of the trend list sooner than later. Be ahead of everyone with this cutout flared sleeves that add volume to the fitted dress.
SAINT LAURENT draped one shoulder mini dress
Price: US$2,590.00
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This one-shoulder dress is more a party dress than an office dress but don’t tell us you don’t have office parties or fancier events to attend with your work friends to really show off this incredibly dressy number. The single shoulder detail drapes over the front and falls to one side of your back to expose a little bit of it. An extended fabric falls on one side of your leg which also makes this a fun dress to wear for dancing.
ALAÏA Jacquard-knit wool-blend mini dress
Price: US$3,610.00
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Most of Alaïa‘s clothes exude femininity, so even with the crimson color of this dress, the wool-blend knit design, high round neck, short sleeves, and pleats balance it with a modest look. It’s perfect for regular office days where you don’t have to dress up as it still leaves you looking fresh and fashionable after a full day of work.
FENDI sleeveless crosshatch silk cape dress
Price: US$2,500.00
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If you can’t bring your work at home, bring the comfort of home to work. This silk cape dress does just that. Just by the look of it, everyone at your department will envy you for the cozy funnel neck and cape style and airy cutouts at the side. After work, you’re still set to head out to dinner with friends.
VANESSA BRUNO Island gathered crepe dress
Price: US$530.00
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This Island dress from Vanessa Bruno can be considered a little black dress for its simplistic aesthetic. Its life and design can last longer than any trend, year, or wear and tear. Probably not so much the last as it will eventually lose appeal as it ages but before that, you’ll get so much wear out of it which sounds like a good investment to us!
GIVENCHY flared tailored dress
Price: US$1,700.00
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The flare. It’s starting to take up space in every garment from sleeves to hems. This time it appears on the skirt of this white Givenchy dress. The flares create a slight row of pleats that add volume to the slim top. The round neck also breaks into a deep, narrow V in front, which leaves space for delicate charm necklaces.
DOLCE & GABBANA Ruffled georgette-trimmed lace and wool-blend top
Price: US$1,195.00
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This top will definitely garner looks of awe from your workmates and get you the label of an office style icon. Knit, sheer lace, and georgette each add a different element on the bodice, sleeves, and shoulders, respectively.
Oscar de la Renta Short-Sleeve Cascading Wool Dress
Price: US$2,390.00
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This Oscar de la Renta dress is not only unique literally for only being available at Neiman Marcus but also because of the individualistic quality of the waterfall effect of the skirt. People will almost not notice that it’s just a t-shirt dress on top, especially with the tonal belt, but you’ll always feel and appreciate the comfort of the style as the day wears you down.
If you think your CV holds everything people have to know about your professional persona, you’re mistaken. Sometimes, your office clothes reflect your attitude about your job and that coupled with hard work gets you opportunities that match the level you want to attain.
