SHIRT DRESSES
Classic and timeless, shirt dresses have taken their place among the garments that have left their mark on street style thanks to their comfort. That is why shirt dresses have become a must-have for women who love a feminine style of dressing.
Image: A belted dusty pink suede shirt dress by Halston (representative image) — Halston, 1932-1990, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Image: A belted black shirt dress (shirtwaist) with jewelled buttons (representative image) — Grace Ashley, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Shirt dresses are a frequent choice because they are a single piece, because their comfort comes with elegance, and because they can easily be paired with all kinds of accessories. In summer, you can create your style depending on where you are going by pairing them with sneakers, sandals or heels. Denim and cotton versions for day, and chiffon versions especially for nights out: these dresses have added elegance to the style of women who love to dress casually.
Usually worn loose for daytime outings, these dresses give us a masculine elegance. On nights out, on the other hand, a chic belt at the waist brings out the curve of the waist and gives us a more feminine look.
These dresses, which we especially favour when going shopping, help us save time. Put it on, take it off! One piece and very comfortable! Available in long, short, striped and patterned styles, these garments appeal to everyone. If you haven’t got yourself a shirt dress yet and you favour comfort in your street style, now is exactly the time!
On my busy days spent rushing around, my choice is my mini shirt dress, my sneakers and my backpack. What about you?
A fabric and cut guide for shirt dresses
When choosing a shirt dress, first think about where you will wear it. Cotton and linen styles in particular breathe on hot summer days and are ideal for everyday outfits. Denim shirt dresses offer a sportier, more durable look. Fluid fabrics such as chiffon and viscose, by contrast, look more elegant at evening events.
- Length: Mini styles create a youthful feel with sneakers and a backpack. Midi and long styles, meanwhile, adapt more easily to working life and dinners.
- Cut: You can cinch a loose-cut style at the waist with a belt, and wear a fitted style on its own.
- Layering: In cooler weather, wearing an unbuttoned shirt dress like a jacket over trousers or leggings takes the piece through all four seasons.
- Pattern: Striped and checked styles give a more classic feel, while floral ones are more romantic.
In short, what shirt dresses have in common is that, although they are a single piece, they can take on completely different characters with accessories. If you are curious about other ways to build an outfit around a single piece, take a look at our one-piece elegance article. For the origins and history of this style, Wikipedia’s shirtdress entry is a short and useful read.