Found: Little Black Dresses You Can Wear In (and Out) of the Office

by Eva Thomas

best little black dresses (that are office appropriate)

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Office dressing: It’s a confusing, often frustrating realm to navigate. And if you work in a setting with a very strict dress code, the question "Is this office appropriate?" may follow you everywhere—through a shopping trip, as you get ready, and even as you walk into the office. It's the uncertainty that sometimes forces us to fall back on some of the classic, tried-and-true office staples—a sheath dress, a blazer-and-trouser combo, or a button-down–and–pencil skirt pairing, for example. And while these options are always great, it is possible to test out other options. That's why today we decided to highlight timeless little black dresses that are (wait for it!) also office appropriate.

When shopping for work dresses, make sure the piece meets all of the criteria: Is it the proper length? And how about the neckline—is it too low? If yes, toss it; if no, consider its overall feel. Does it have that much-needed air of professionalism, or is it too casual? And last but not least, evaluate the silhouette. For the little black dresses we picked, we made sure the cut was streamlined and refined—nothing too puffy or relaxed. And even though we picked the best LBDs for the office, they're certainly not just limited to that. Wear the below picks out and about—just swap your power pumps for a pair of casual sneakers.