The shirt dress may be having a moment, thanks to the 90s fashion revival and preppy New England coastal aesthetic, but the classic style never really went away. Inspired by a collared button down, it’s polished, versatile and remarkably easy to style. Add tall boots and a trench coat for the office or dinner, or pair it with sandals and statement accessories for brunch.
The best shirt dresses to shop
As with any wardrobe staple, the fabric of a shirt dress plays a major role in how it fits, feels and looks. So, if you’re wondering what's the best material to try, the answer is cotton, according to GHI home and apparel reviews analyst Amanda Constantine: ‘It’s a great natural fibre that’s breathable and has a lived-in look.’
But with some cotton staples, budget-friendly prices are out of the question. Amanda points out that rayon and viscose versions offer a polished look without breaking your budget, but it’s important to note that they may wrinkle easily – same with polyester styles.
Amanda knows what to look for in a well-made button-up, too. She recently put a slew of white button-up shirts to the test in the lab. She found that the best styles come with princess seams, or a built-in fabric belt creates more of an hourglass shape.
Nobody's Child Green Cord Finchley Mini Shirt Dress
Mint Velvet Navy Graphic Print Midi Shirt Dress
Whistles Burgundy Check Midi Shirt Dress
New Look Brown Striped Tie Short Sleeve Midi Shirt Dress
How to style a shirt dress
Light layers and coats
Besides keeping you warm, an autumnal jacket adds a little more personality to a shirt dress. Think a jacket with a pop of colour, or a style with an interesting feature, such as a funnel neckline or an adjustable waistline for added definition.
Hush Verity Pure Wool Double Faced Jacket
M&S Pure Cotton Cord Funnel Neck Bomber Jacket
Nobody's Child Mid Blue Contrast Collar Denim Jacket
Statement belts
To give a shirt dress more shape, just add a belt. A statement style like a wide, thick belt works well, but if you’re looking for something slightly more subtle, go for a thinner option.
Western flair
Denim gives the classic shirt dress a fresh spin and it’s a great choice for the autumn season especially in jacket form. Style with Mary Jane shoes or ballet flats or lean into western style with a pair of cowboy boots in suede or even a pared-back bolo tie.
Whistles Burgundy Mary Jane Ballet Pump
Knee-high boots
A tall, knee-high boot will complement the tailored charm of a shirt dress. For a practical pairing, take a cue from Hunter rain boots to protect against unexpected downpours. Or dress it up with one of the season’s trending silhouettes, from riding boots to pirate boots – the latter a footwear trend that has started to dominate the fashion conversation, particularly modern interpretations of the famous Vivienne Westwood style worn by Kate Moss in the 90s.
Nobody's Child Mahogany Brown Leather Knee High Boots
Office Karamel Knee High Block Heel Boots
