Shirt dresses are a bit of an underdog in fashion – they never go out of fashion, but are often overlooked, and frequently and incorrectly lumped in with casual wear, perhaps thanks to starting life as a practical outfit women could wear to work in the 1930s when it was rare for women to wear trousers.
But in the ‘40s, when Christian Dior created his beautifully tailored button down shirts with a nipped in waist and a full skirt, the humble shirt dress was catapulted into an altogether more glamorous world.
That’s the beauty of the shirt dress, its versatility as a shape. Any button front dress can be a shirt dress and there are a lot of options, so narrowing down the style of shirt dress makes them easier to shop.
They range from short to midi and long length, they can be made from traditional shirt dress fabrics such as cotton but also slinkier fabrics such as viscose and satin. The sleeve length also impacts the overall look, do you want sleeveless, puff sleeve, classic short sleeve or a long sleeve shirt dress? Belted or not, slim fitting or oversized, and how about striped, plain, denim or printed? There is a shirt dress outfit for everyone.
How To Style A Shirt Dress
They are the main event so they need very few adornments, and how much you style them up depends on the how and where you are wearing it – how “busy” the dress is to start with and factors such as the neckline. For example, a printed belted shirt dress may need just simple earrings and a subtle strappy shoe, while a very pared back simple black or white shirt dress might benefit from more statement jewellery.
Shirt dresses with a belt are a classic shape because the belt creates a great silhouette. Some dresses will come with a “self belt” that you tie yourself in a bow or a knot, others come with a more structured belt with belt loops and a buckle. Remember all belts are optional, so if you want to personalise your look you can switch the matching belt out for one you already have.
What Shoes To Wear With A Shirt Dress
Now let’s talk what shoes to wear with a shirt dress. Shirt dresses are so versatile they can be worn with lots of shoe options, from flat sandals to heels. Wearing heels with a simple shirt dress, adding jewellery, rolling back the cuffs and undoing the top buttons can transform a shirt dress from day into night.
Shirt Dress Inspiration:
With 20 years experience as both a Fashion Buyer and Stylist, Joanne Watkinson has a wealth of knowledge about everyday style and event dressing. We’ve asked her to share her tips and tricks on how to pick the perfect dress or outfit and how to perfect your look for special occasions.
