The most practical piece for warm weather
Mindy Kaling's recent trip to New York City delivered no shortage of summer style inspiration, and her latest look felt perfectly aligned with the sleek, career-driven aesthetic of her upcoming Hulu series, Not Suitable for Work — and our own closets.
The actress and producer wore a gray sleeveless Schiaparelli shift dress with front buttons and a preppy collar. The structured outfit is equal parts elegant and practical, while the airy design makes it an easy choice for hot summer days. It's the everyday staple that works just as well for the office as it does at brunch, dinner, or weekend plans. While Kaling’s effortless look costs a whopping $5,600, we found similar styles at Amazon, Quince, Nordstrom, and more starting at just $38.
Sleeveless Dresses Inspired by Mindy Kaling
- Similar Silhouette: Grace Karin Sleeveless Dress, $46; Amazon
- Fully Lined: Quince Italian Wool Sleeveless Dress, $100; Quince
- Cinched Waist: Spanx WellSuited Sleeveless Crewneck Mini Dress, $168; Spanx
- Tailored Collar: Bagatelle Pinstripe Dress, $128; Bloomingdale’s
- Elegant Buttons: Prettygarden Work Dress, $38 (orig. $47); Amazon
- Office-Ready: Open Edit The Icon Sleeveless Blazer Dress, $45 (orig. $100); Nordstrom
- 50% Off: Banana Republic Factory Shirred-Waist Knee-Length Dress, $60 at checkout (orig. $120); Banana Republic Factory
- Breezy Hem: Talbots Refined Denim Midi Dress, $120 (orig. $149); Talbots
- Airy Cotton: Nikki Lund Mary Sheath Dress, $150; Nordstrom
- Sleek Pinstripes: Reformation Citron Dress, $218; Reformation
Related: Jennifer Garner’s Elegant Ballet Flats Are the Comfortable Summer Shoe Trend Celebrities Keep Wearing
Grace Karin Sleeveless Dress

$46 at Amazon
If you're looking to recreate Kaling's look, this Amazon dress is one of the closest matches we found. It has a similarly oversized collar that instantly adds a preppy element, along with a row of front buttons and flap-style pockets that give it a tailored, blazer-inspired feel. Eye-catching details like airy pleats and a sleeveless silhouette give the dress plenty of movement and breathability, making it a comfortable choice for warm-weather days.
One Amazon shopper said it “fits like a glove," while another said it’s a great style to wear to the office.
Quince Italian Wool Sleeveless Dress

$100 at Quince.com
Wool may not be the first fabric that comes to mind for summer, but Quince's shift dress is crafted from Italian wool that's naturally temperature-regulating, helping keep you comfortable even on warmer days. The high crewneck design and midi style provides just the right amount of coverage for warm summer days, while the shift silhouette is breezy and doesn’t cling to your body. While it looks effortless as it is, you can also dress it up with a waist belt, a top handle bag, and a sleek pair of flats.
Spanx WellSuited Sleeveless Crewneck Mini Dress

$168 at Spanx
Just like Kaling, this Spanx dress nails the business-casual vibe thanks to a high crewneck, tailored front seams, and faux front pockets. Though it offers a shift design, the style has a cinched waist to accentuate your natural shape and create balance from your shoulders to your hips. The material is made with a breathable woven fabric that drapes effortlessly and provides optimal stretch to move with you while you’re on the go. You can snag it in sizes 0 through 26.
Whether you're heading into the office, meeting friends for lunch, or trying to stay comfortable during a sweltering commute, a sleeveless shift dress like Kaling's is one of the easiest ways to look posh without sacrificing comfort. Find more styles inspired by her sophisticated outfit below.
Bagatelle Pinstripe Dress

$128 at Bloomingdales
Prettygarden Work Dress

$47 $38 at Amazon
Open Edit The Icon Sleeveless Blazer Dress

$100 $45 at Nordstrom
Banana Republic Factory Shirred-Waist Knee-Length Dress, $60 at checkout

$120 $60 at Banana Republic Factory
Talbots Refined Denim Midi Dress

$149 $120 at Talbots.com
Nikki Lund Mary Sheath Dress

$150 at Nordstrom
Reformation Citron Dress

$218 at Reformation
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