7 summer dresses you’ll actually want to wear to work during the heatwave
- Posted by
- Harriet Davey
- Published

Taking the stress out of getting ready for work in the heat, these are the dresses that’ll keep you cool.
Whether you’re a night-before outfit prep kind of person, or a grab ‘n’ go opting for the nearest throw-on look you can find – we’re about to make getting ready easier.
When you’ve got your packed lunch to think about, your quickest commute route to find and a job to dress for, we could all do with some help. This is why a fail-safe dress is the best option, especially when another summer heatwave is here.
Luckily, we’ve already searched to find the chicest frocks that’ll suit all styles, budgets and workplaces. So, if your work doesn’t require a uniform, these will be your go-to.
From Topshop’s ‘editor’ shirt dress to Ghost’s universally flattering wrap, these are the dress styles to opt for that’ll keep you cool in all conditions – from the sweaty bus journey to a stuffy office.
Shop the seven best summer dresses to wear to work, after-hours drinks and everything in between. Note: we suggest you take one of & Other Storie’s stylish new handheld fans if your journey requires the underground. They’ll be the perfect finishing touch.
Topshop editor dress
Summer workwear dresses: Topshop The ‘editor’ dress even sounds like it means business. Team this classic short sleeves shirt dress with mules, sandals or heels depending on your day job.
£39, Topshop
Cos sleeveless dress with slits
Summer workwear dresses: Cos The side splits will act like vents for your legs, while the cool colour is the perfect alternative to white.
£79, Cos
Joseph Evie micro floral dress
Best workwear dresses: Joseph We can always trust Joseph to create timeless dresses that are perfect for work.
Liven up your shirt dress collection with a fresh orange shade – it’s one of this season’s key colours.
£545, Joseph
Faithfulll The Brand Majorelle shirred floral-print midi dress
Summer workwear dresses: Faithfull The Brand We’ve already told you that the milkmaid style dress is one of this season’s key styles, and now we’ve found another one to add to the wish list.
The shirred detail is stretchy and comfortable while the puffy sleeves mean they’re not close to your could-be-sweaty armpits.
£174.58, Faithfull The Brand
Zara buttoned linen dress
Summer workwear dresses: Zara Linen is one of those fail-safe fabrics you can always count on to keep you cool. Naturally, we had to include this beauty in our edit.
Strappy, floaty and can work for after work drinks, too.
£49.99, Zara
Ghost bibi dress
Summer workwear dresses: Ghost While we used to think of Ghost as the go-to for occasion wear dresses it’s now the best place for daytime frocks, too.
It used to also be believed that wrap dresses are frumpy – this green printed wrap proves otherwise.
£129, Ghost
Uterqüe strappy dress with golden buttons
Summer workwear dresses: Uterqüe It may be slightly tighter fitting than our other options but the cotton and linen mix material will keep you cooler than stretchy materials.
Team with a colour block mule and a bag big enough to carry your commuting kicks in.
£120, Uterqüe
Opening image: Getty