1 Acne Studios lash poplin shirt dress | $370 at Shopbop
2 Jenni Kayne striped shirt dress | $295 at Shopbop
3 Current/Elliot The Lilly dress | $210 after GRECHEN15 code for 15% off at Hampden Clothing
4 Steven Alan drop waist shirt dress | $265 at Steven Alan
5 DKNY wrap shirtdress | $255 at Shopbop
6 Zara poplin shirtdress | $59 at Zara
7 Sophie Hulme suiting blazer dress | $990 at The Dreslyn
As I was getting my hair cut last week chatting with my stylist, I mentioned that I’m an emotional dresser. She asked me what that meant. I told her that I gauge my mood every day to see what kind of silhouette I feel like wearing: slouchy, fitted, structured, short, or long…is that high maintenance? Does that preclude having a “uniform?” Questions for another day…Moving on…
Even though I stick to a pretty strict, neutral color palette, I do like to play with proportion and shape, so I have quite a few different types of things I can wear. Generally, I prefer fitted or drapey over structured, but when I do want structured, I want a shirt dress. They’re easy, chic, and look put-together, and you don’t even have to do anything, just throw it on. Of course, some are more structured or dressy than others, and some are definitely more casual, but I would say that a shirt dress can generally do double-duty if you choose well.
I have a few shirt dresses – my most recent James Perse shirt dress (seen on me here, buy here), black silk dress by Madewell, and a chambray dress by H&M. Of course, I am anxiously awaiting the Everlane chambray shirt dress, because it has pockets.
How do you feel about shirt dresses? do you prefer them over fitted or more slouchy styles? or not? what’s your favorite shirt dress? how many do you have?
Even more of my favorite shirt dresses….
I love a shirtdress, and there are so many great ones to choose from.
Also, the COS US online store opened today, and they have some great ones–like this:
http://www.cosstores.com/us/Shop/Women/Dresses/Pocket_detail_shirt_dress/46881-15140118.1#c-15133303
And they have 25% through June 7th with the code HELLOAMERICA
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
i’ve been waiting for this, but trying not to act like it, so much so that i completely forgot that it was coming 😉 because i know it will be dangerous for me…LOVE that shirt dress.
I love shirt dresses on others (including you!) but I haven’t had much luck. A few years ago I bought a Kenneth Cole black military-style cotton shirt dress because I was convinced it would be the holy grail in my travel wardrobe. But I’ve only worn it a couple of times (at home) and it drove me nuts, because it’s too short and even wearing it over leggings, it kept bunching up around my waist. So I’ve given up, I’m afraid. Maybe a lighter, drapey-er fabric and a longer cut would work in a shirt dress for me.
And I’m so jealous of COS being available in the U.S. now (but not Canada yet). I’ve loved their store in London but haven’t bought anything.
I don’t generally wear button downs, so a shirt dress looks just as awkward to me when I try it on (it’s the bust thing – knits are much more forgiving than buttons are) I LOVE the look of so many of these dresses, but it’s never been a style I try on. I have had a few over the years but don’t have any in my closet right now.
I was so excited to see this post because I love shirt dresses! I have an a-line denim one by J Crew, kind of like the Current/Elliott one you showed, that I wear with the sleeves rolled up and simple, flat leather sandals; one that’s slightly more structured with a belt, in hot pink by Eileen Fisher, but I love to switch out the fabric belt for a wider, braided belt; a light grey linen shirt dress/tunic by J Jill that I wear over black leggings; a turquoise one by Marie Eiffel that I love because it’s crinkled cotton -no fuss, no worries! – and I wear that over black or navy leggings or white cropped ankle jeans. I’d love to get a floaty, drapey one in black, a little longer, too. Kind of an artsy-fartsy vibe.
The Barney’s and the DKNY ones are perfect for me!
I forgot one: I also have a Tommy Hilfiger one in blue/white stripes kind of like the DKNY in the lower L corner! Yeah. I guess I like shirt dresses!????
I love a shirtdress but they don’t really love me, it’s the whole bust issue and the fact that a lot of them just don’t have any structure, which I need. I recently bought a white shirtdress from Gap that I can’t wait to wear. This one has a belt, pockets, a flared shape at the bottom and sleeves that I can wear up or down. Those elements make this one work for me and my shape.
Shirt dresses are the best, I have several, especially denim shirt dresses which are great with a crossbody bag and sandals for summer. Nothing is easier!
That OTTE shirtdress looks amazing. Now I just need to get over my insecurity over my arms. Eek!
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