Expert consulted: 
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.
To help you find the best shirt dress for your personal style, our Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab shares a few top-tested picks and style tips.
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 drapes on the body. “A 100% cotton shirt dress will be truest to its button-up roots and feel nice and breathable during the warmer months,” says Home and Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine. “Linen is another great natural fiber that's breathable and has a lived-in look.” She also points out that rayon and viscose offer a polished look but wrinkle easily, while polyester blends are less breathable but more affordable.
Constantine 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, evaluating opacity, shrinkage, wrinkle resistance and fit. The Shirt—a brand that also makes shirt dresses—came out on top. “The construction and materials are high-quality, and the dress is equipped with my favorite button-up detail: An extra button at the bust to stop gaping.” She also recommends looking for stylish details like princess seams running down the front of the dress or a built-in fabric belt to create more of an hourglass shape.
How to style a shirt dress
Light layers and coats
Besides keeping you warm, a lightweight jacket adds a little more personality to your shirt dress. This belted utility jacket from Old Navy channels the look below with a pop of color. For a preppy look, go with a classic trench coat, or keep it casual with an oversized denim jacket or sporty bomber.
Statement belts
To give a shirt dress more shape, just add a belt. A statement style like a wide obi belt or corset-style belt can instantly elevate a simple dress and contour the waist. For something more subtle, a slim belt lets the skirt flow naturally.
Western flair
Denim gives the classic shirt dress a fresh, Americana-inspired spin. Style it with Tabi-inspired flats and Coach’s Empire Carryall Bag 34. Or, lean into cowgirl couture with suede, fringe, cowboy boots, or even a bolo tie.
Tall boots
Tall boots complement the tailored look of a shirt dress. For a practical pairing, take a cue from the look below with Hunter rain boots—a Textiles Lab best overall pick that Princess Diana wore and loved. Or, dress it up with knee-high riding boots or leather boots.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
