Few garments in your wardrobe are more fun to wear than a dress. Not only do dresses make you look and feel beautiful, but they’re practically effortless too. Just put on some makeup, maybe do something with your hair, accessorize with jewelry and the right shoes and you’re good to go. Yet when it comes to plus size work dresses, you might struggle. What kind of dress styles can you wear to work?
The following 7 plus-size dress styles will make you shine at the office:
- Sheath
- Peplum
- Empire
- A-line
- Fit and flare
- Sweaterdress
- Shift
Ahead, we’ll discuss each of these 7 awesome dress styles in more detail and even give you some shopping links so you can fill up your work wardrobe quickly! You’re not going to want to miss it.
7 Classy Plus-Size Dress Styles to Wear to the Office
- Sheath Dress
The first dress style is one that will impress at any boardroom or conference meeting. The sheath dress, also known as the straight dress, has a straight shape when worn, but it’s anything but boxy. This dress tends to fit closer to the body, which may seem a touch daunting as a plus-size woman, but many a gal your size has rocked the sheath dress before, so you might as well be the next in line!
This chic basic high-neck sheath dress from Venus comes in a slew of dark colors that will make getting used to sheath dresses easier. Your color options are dark olive green, navy blue, heather gray, or black. Side-seam ruching will flatter your curves, and the scoop-neck cut and knee-hitting hem make this dress great for work.
You can also dress up your sheath dress, such as this Betsy & Adam dress on Macy’s. Although it’s a little more expensive than the one from Venus, this pretty dress features ornate beading all along the semi-sheer sleeves. It’s also a bit roomier in the chest and abdomen so it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a second skin. The boat neckline is totally adorbs for the office too!
If you are interested in checking out the best Sheath dresses you can find them by clicking here.
- Peplum Dress
The peplum dress is one that will put you totally at ease. It features ruffles or peplum at the waist that can distract from and hide the stomach if that’s your trouble area. Peplum dresses come in countless styles, from strapless ones you can wear on date night to structured, work-friendly options.
You’ll definitely feel confident enough to tackle that big project when you walk into the office in this Miusol retro pencil dress with peplum from Amazon. The square-shaped neck doesn’t show too much skin, and a front zipper lets you hide your cleavage until after hours. The quarter-length sleeves and pencil skirt style scream professionalism while peplum ruffles at the waist make wearing a tighter dress much less of a stressful experience. Your color options include dark green, black, navy blue, or burgundy.
This Ashley Stewart mock-neck peplum bodycon dress is so adorable that you’ll want to wear it even when you’re off-hours. With pique knitting, this dress also features a center back zipper and venting. Ashley Stewart says this dress is meant to “elegantly emphasize” your curves, which sounds good to us! Choose from black, or–if you’re feeling daring–Jester Red.
- Empire Dress
In the same vein as the peplum dress is the empire dress. This has a higher waistline, which isn’t at the abdomen, but rather, right beneath the breasts. The rest of the dress tends to flow out elegantly and roomily, obstructing a larger stomach, hips, rear, or thighs.
Check out this Nemidor empire-waisted maxi on Amazon. This two-toned dress is a solid color up top, then the bottom is patterned. This smart patterning will go an even longer way towards hiding any areas you may feel self-conscious about. A simple scoop neckline, while it shows some skin, won’t reveal any cleavage. The floor-length cut of this dress is super elegant too!
You can order this dress with a floral pattern, chevron, stripes, or even in solid black.
Put some pep in your step at work with this Halogen tie-back long-sleeved empire dress from Nordstrom. Its zebra-striped or vivid orange and red pattern will keep you energized throughout the day. The back tie is a cute touch, as are the smocked cuffs. This dress will make a statement any time of the year.
- A-Line Dress
Another great dress pick for wearing to work is the A-line dress. The bodice is a little more form-fitting here, then the waist has a structured shape before flaring out into the shape of an A. This style of dress is always upscale, so you’ll want to add a few A-line dresses to your work wardrobe immediately.
We recommend this dress from Macy’s. This appealing A-line dress has a simple print and a sheer layer of fabric. A self-tie waist belt adds even more professionalism to this pretty dress. This would look great with a pair of black leather booties, especially as winter comes to an end!
Romwe’s A-line stretchy midi dress on Amazon is another dress you’ll want immediately. This appealing number is made of stretchy fabric that hugs your curves, but not too tightly. The short sleeves and high-cut neckline, as well as the knee-grazing hemline, make this dress perfect for any day in the office except maybe casual Friday. You might want to wear it then too, and we can’t blame you.
The laser-cut openings shaped like flowers, featured throughout, are too sweet, and you get plenty of color variety with this Amazon pick. Those options include burgundy, dark green, navy, or black.
- Fit and Flare Dress
You can’t go wrong with a lovely fit and flare dress, especially as a plus-size woman. With vintage stylings, the fit and flare features a full, open skirt, a more structured waist, and a bodice that’s close-fitted. The hemline of a fit and flare dress is at the knee or just over, so you won’t get any questionable looks from your superior if you walk into the office with this dress on. Plus, fit and flare dresses are so comfortable, it almost feels like you’re cheating. It’s like wearing pajamas to the office!
For a bright, colorful, summertime fit and flare dress, we quite like this Knit Kit crossover dress from Lane Bryant. It’s a striped dress in vivid hues such as teal blue, white, royal purple, and fuchsia. The faux-wrap neckline is indeed a V-cut, but a very moderate one that ends before it shows any cleavage.
This dress also has an elastic waist and is made of a cozy, lightweight matte jersey knit fabric. Did we mention you get pockets? You do, there are pockets! All your essentials will be close at hand in this great dress.
During the cooler months, invoke the shades of autumn in this Pinup Fashion fit and flare A-line dress on Amazon. This chic midi-styled fit and flare can control your tummy and create a slimmer silhouette. The front keyhole at the high boatneck is very small and just enough to give the dress more visual appeal.
A waist tie and a sheer layer overtop the skirt are also great design touches. Oh, and the sleeves, which are quarter-length, are loose, flowy, and also feature that sheer layer. This dress comes in white, black, burgundy, black with a floral skirt, burgundy with a floral skirt, or black with polka dots.
- Sweaterdress
You’ll have to retire most of these dresses as the weather gets very cold, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck wearing slacks to the office only. Oh no, no. Instead, you can shift your wardrobe to thicker materials such as the sweaterdress.
Sweaterdresses are crocheted or knitted with long sleeves and a hem that hits a little above the thigh, sometimes lower. You can wear your sweater dress with leggings or tights underneath or even jeans if you feel like changing up your look. You also have all sorts of styles and cuts available with sweaterdresses, making them incredibly versatile.
Also, this Ava & Viv turtleneck ribbed sweater dress on Target boasts a mock-turtleneck that again isn’t too distracting or annoying. The rib-knit used to make this bright brick red dress is lightweight, so make sure you layer up with some heavier tights or a cardigan if you’re wearing this dress in the winter.
- Shift Dress
The last work-appropriate dress style we want to cover is the shift dress. This is like the sheath dress but more open and roomier, so while it fits closely at the arms and chest, at the waist, there’s no definition. You still get that square shape like with a sheath dress, but lots more fabric to cover certain areas.
If you’re unsure if you can wear a sheath dress with pride, then we’d suggest you try a shift dress first. They’re like sheath dress jr.
You can prove that workwear is anything but boring when you strut your stuff in this Gabby Skye patterned shift dress on Amazon. This pretty dress in black and cream features patterned squares of varying sizes throughout. That’ll keep all eyes off any areas you want to hide.
The high-cut neckline, longer sleeves (more than quarter-length but not quite fully long-sleeved), and hemline that hits an inch or two above the knee means you can wear this dress from work to girl’s night without having to get changed. It would look great with some killer pumps or booties when the weather gets colder!
The Adrianna Papell dress on Bloomingdale’s is another shift dress you’ll want in your closet like yesterday. This draped sequin-sleeved dress is made of a very stretchy fabric that contorts to your body shape rather than the other way around. The ruching at the waist and stomach will make the dress fit super flatteringly on your plus-size frame.
With a hemline that hits at the knee, a wide front V-cut that shows some collarbone and not much else, and a high-cut back, this dress will be your new go-to for the office. The best part is undoubtedly the decorations at the sleeves. These are covered in sequins!
Conclusion
If you only wear slacks and oversized shirts to work because you feel like you can’t find an appropriate dress at your size, look no longer! Plus-size gals can pull off all sorts of work-friendly dress styles, from A-line to peplum, shift to sheath, empire waist to fit and flare, and sweater dresses too.
You can also check out our top picks! With all the shopping links we provided, you’ll have more than enough great dresses to wear to work at any time of the year!
