3 Office Dress Styles for Over 40

It's not that I hate the skirt suit. It's just that much like tweed and paisley prints, the skirt suit smacks of matronly. And the last thing I want to do is look older.

So my favorite "I'm in charge" looks are usually dresses. I like them because they are so much easier than separates (just one piece and you're set.) And without the stuffiness of a suit you can choose dresses in great prints and colors to express your personal style.

Here are my favorite dress silhouettes for the office:

• Shirtdresses – The shirtdress is simply a one-piece dress with a button front which mimics a shirt. Some shirtdresses have an actual shirt collar, while others have mandarin or band collars. One of my favorite variations this season is the military style shirtdress which has features like khaki or army green colors, brass buttons or epaulets.  The beauty of the shirtdress is how many variations there are: some styles feature sweet details like puff sleeves or full skirts, while others have drawstring waists or wide belts. The shirtdress is usually made in a crisp fabric (cotton or blends) and yields lots of office authority. Works for: All body shapes. Bottom-heavy women can choose skirt styles in fuller, forgiving variations, while still playing up a small waist with a belt. Curvy women can benefit from the structure – vertical placket, defined waist, cotton fabric – of the shirtdress. Brands for Shirtdresses: Tory Burch, Calvin Klein, Maggy London
• Sheath Dress – The sheath dress is simply a slim-fitting dress with a defined waist and fitted skirt that hits at or below the knee.  First Lady Michelle Obama is a champion of the sleeveless sheath dress, which is a classic style that has an authoritative vibe.  If you don't do sleeveless, the sheath silhouette also works well in a cap or short sleeve. The sheath done up in menswear fabric is the ultimate Boss Lady dress,; in prints or colors it exudes a timeless chic. Works for:  The sheath, due to its fitted styling, works best for straight figures. It can add an hourglass shape to women who have thicker middles. Also very flattering on petites because it has a long, lean line that elongates the body. Brands for Sheath Dresses: Banana Republic, Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique
• Wrap Dress – A wrap dress is a style of dress that either actually wraps at the bodice and/or waist or just looks like it does (the faux wrap.) It features ruching or gathers at the bodice. A print wrap dress  is actually very forgiving of most body types. Although the wrap dress can work in crisp fabrics like poplin, it has become very popular in jersey because it drapes and wears so well. Donna Karan does sensuous versions of the wrap dress and – if you can swing the $1000-plus price tag – are the ultimate in corporate dressing while still looking like a woman. Works for: All body types. Creates curves if you don't have them, flatters large busts (the V shape of a wrap front does this.) Brands for Wrap Dresses: Diane von Furstenberg, Jones New York Collection, Donna Karan