How To Style A Shirt Dress?
03 Jun 2024
In movies, you can often see a romantic scene as, the woman you love, puts on a man's shirt on her naked body in the morning and makes coffee. Whoever decided that a woman in a man's shirt belongs not only in the bedroom but also on the street, was undoubtedly a genius. The shirt dress is a versatile and stylish solution that has recently been winning the hearts of fashionistas around the world. This is the embodiment of elegance and comfort combined in one outfit.
If a lady could have only one dress, it would be the shirt dress, as it is on the list of current trends every year. This year, floor-length shirts are at the peak of popularity. Many stylists and fashion designers believe that the shirt dress is like the “little black dress”. Once this piece appears in your closet, it will become an indispensable garment for many occasions. It is perfect for all occasions, from casual outings to business meetings, and it can be easily combined with accessories and shoes to create a variety of looks. A shirt dress can be worn separately, as an independent product, complemented with accessories, and also create it a lot of layered images: with pants, skirt, corset, basque, jacket, and others. Let's understand what is a shirt dress, what models are in fashion, and how to wear them.
If a lady could have only one dress, it would be the shirt dress, as it is on the list of current trends every year. This year, floor-length shirts are at the peak of popularity. Many stylists and fashion designers believe that the shirt dress is like the “little black dress”. Once this piece appears in your closet, it will become an indispensable garment for many occasions. It is perfect for all occasions, from casual outings to business meetings, and it can be easily combined with accessories and shoes to create a variety of looks. A shirt dress can be worn separately, as an independent product, complemented with accessories, and also create it a lot of layered images: with pants, skirt, corset, basque, jacket, and others. Let's understand what is a shirt dress, what models are in fashion, and how to wear them.
Shirt Dress Outfit Ideas
The shirt dress has a rich history that began in the mid-20th century. Few people remember that the very same shirt dress was invented by the brilliant Coco Chanel.
The first shirt dresses appeared at the beginning of the last century. The pioneer of this closet item was Coco Chanel - in 1916 she produced the first shirt dress with a simple straight cut. At the time, the shirt dress was part of a man's closet and was worn as outerwear. The item quickly caught on among women who appreciated its versatility and practicality, and among seamstresses - such a dress did not require complicated cutouts and laborious work.
A standard shirt dress is a model of almost straight cut with details typical for a shirt: collar, long sleeves with cuffs, breast pocket(s), front fastening on a placket with buttons. It was loose-fitting, with or without a belt, and was made of light and durable fabrics such as cotton or linen. In fact, it is a knee-length version of the shirt. However modern clothing designers offer many more variations on the theme for fashionable combinations.
With the passage of time, the shirt dress has become a fashionable and versatile piece of clothing. Today, it can be made in a variety of styles and materials, from classic white shirts to bolder and more experimental designs. You can wear it as a single dress, or combine it with other elements of the closet (skirts, pants, or jeans).
Despite the variety of dresses on the runways, when it comes to finding a versatile outfit, it turns out that we don't have many options. One dress is too short for a business meeting. Another has an impressive neckline, suitable only for a special occasion. A third has a print that's too garish to wear to evening events. A fourth looks too beachy to be part of a work capsule. And the fifth is not comfortable enough to wear every day.
True, there is still salvation - the versatile shirt dress, which has been on the list of spring and summer trends for decades. In fact, it is a variation of the voluminous shirt - another canonical thing that was borrowed from the men's closet long ago and has now become an integral part of the female closet. In many cases, this over-size piece can become no less successful alternative to the usual dress: an accent belt, shoes - and the image with minimal time spent on gathering is ready. We tell you how else you can wear a basic shirt dress in different ways and easily integrate it into any closet.
The first shirt dresses appeared at the beginning of the last century. The pioneer of this closet item was Coco Chanel - in 1916 she produced the first shirt dress with a simple straight cut. At the time, the shirt dress was part of a man's closet and was worn as outerwear. The item quickly caught on among women who appreciated its versatility and practicality, and among seamstresses - such a dress did not require complicated cutouts and laborious work.
A standard shirt dress is a model of almost straight cut with details typical for a shirt: collar, long sleeves with cuffs, breast pocket(s), front fastening on a placket with buttons. It was loose-fitting, with or without a belt, and was made of light and durable fabrics such as cotton or linen. In fact, it is a knee-length version of the shirt. However modern clothing designers offer many more variations on the theme for fashionable combinations.
With the passage of time, the shirt dress has become a fashionable and versatile piece of clothing. Today, it can be made in a variety of styles and materials, from classic white shirts to bolder and more experimental designs. You can wear it as a single dress, or combine it with other elements of the closet (skirts, pants, or jeans).
Despite the variety of dresses on the runways, when it comes to finding a versatile outfit, it turns out that we don't have many options. One dress is too short for a business meeting. Another has an impressive neckline, suitable only for a special occasion. A third has a print that's too garish to wear to evening events. A fourth looks too beachy to be part of a work capsule. And the fifth is not comfortable enough to wear every day.
True, there is still salvation - the versatile shirt dress, which has been on the list of spring and summer trends for decades. In fact, it is a variation of the voluminous shirt - another canonical thing that was borrowed from the men's closet long ago and has now become an integral part of the female closet. In many cases, this over-size piece can become no less successful alternative to the usual dress: an accent belt, shoes - and the image with minimal time spent on gathering is ready. We tell you how else you can wear a basic shirt dress in different ways and easily integrate it into any closet.
Shirt dress with micro shorts
Micro shorts are a big trend for 2024. Designers encouraged us to wear them last fall and winter, inspire us to do so in the Spring-Summer 2024 collections and the new Fall-Winter 2024/25 shows also advise us not to forget about this unusual closet element.
It's not that hard to pull it off (we've already talked to you about the most stylish combinations here). And here is another combination that combines two trends at once: micro-shorts with shirt dress. On the one hand, it allows you to comfortably wear short shorts, and on the other hand - a shirt-dress with such a pair can be safely opened more than half, which looks very spectacular and unusual.
With a boyfriend style blazer
A '90s-inspired striped blazer, pointy-toed loafers, and aviator sunglasses are the perfect complement to a basic white cotton shirt dress. Be sure to undo the first buttons for a casual look and complete the outfit with golden earrings and a tote bag.
Shirt dress with corset
To make the shirt dress look boring, we advise you to complicate it a bit - for this purpose, add a corset in tone to the outfit. You can play with materials, for example, combine a cotton mini with a leather corset. We share one more stylish and non-banal trick: unbutton the bottom buttons on the shirt dress and put on shorts.
With boots
Don't forget that spring is a season of transition, and puddles on the sidewalks will have to be endured. To put together a stylish yet practical look, opt for a shirt dress made of durable denim and khaki-colored rubber boots.
With a contrasting bomber
Simply slip it over your shoulders for a deliberate relaxed look. From the interesting details, you can add a tie in the tone of the shirt and massive boots with an accent zipper. Accessorize the look with a miniature frame bag for important little things.
With a wool coat
This is an optimal option when summer has not yet arrived, but you already want to wear a new shirt dress. Pay attention to woolen models of basic shades: gray, beige, and black.
With a mesh dress
Ready for bold fashion experiments? Then take a shirt dress and put a translucent tulle dress on top. For an outfit with a ballet core aesthetic, complete your outfit with casual pointe shoes (such as Miu Miu's canonical ones).
With a decoration belt
To highlight the waistline, complement the shirt dress with a wide corset-type belt - or you can take your favorite belt from under your jeans. Gold jewelry and round sunglasses with sun protection are must-haves for a summer aesthetic.
Micro shorts are a big trend for 2024. Designers encouraged us to wear them last fall and winter, inspire us to do so in the Spring-Summer 2024 collections and the new Fall-Winter 2024/25 shows also advise us not to forget about this unusual closet element.
It's not that hard to pull it off (we've already talked to you about the most stylish combinations here). And here is another combination that combines two trends at once: micro-shorts with shirt dress. On the one hand, it allows you to comfortably wear short shorts, and on the other hand - a shirt-dress with such a pair can be safely opened more than half, which looks very spectacular and unusual.
With a boyfriend style blazer
A '90s-inspired striped blazer, pointy-toed loafers, and aviator sunglasses are the perfect complement to a basic white cotton shirt dress. Be sure to undo the first buttons for a casual look and complete the outfit with golden earrings and a tote bag.
Shirt dress with corset
To make the shirt dress look boring, we advise you to complicate it a bit - for this purpose, add a corset in tone to the outfit. You can play with materials, for example, combine a cotton mini with a leather corset. We share one more stylish and non-banal trick: unbutton the bottom buttons on the shirt dress and put on shorts.
With boots
Don't forget that spring is a season of transition, and puddles on the sidewalks will have to be endured. To put together a stylish yet practical look, opt for a shirt dress made of durable denim and khaki-colored rubber boots.
With a contrasting bomber
Simply slip it over your shoulders for a deliberate relaxed look. From the interesting details, you can add a tie in the tone of the shirt and massive boots with an accent zipper. Accessorize the look with a miniature frame bag for important little things.
With a wool coat
This is an optimal option when summer has not yet arrived, but you already want to wear a new shirt dress. Pay attention to woolen models of basic shades: gray, beige, and black.
With a mesh dress
Ready for bold fashion experiments? Then take a shirt dress and put a translucent tulle dress on top. For an outfit with a ballet core aesthetic, complete your outfit with casual pointe shoes (such as Miu Miu's canonical ones).
With a decoration belt
To highlight the waistline, complement the shirt dress with a wide corset-type belt - or you can take your favorite belt from under your jeans. Gold jewelry and round sunglasses with sun protection are must-haves for a summer aesthetic.
Top Tips for Styling a Shirt Dress
Tip no.1
The shirt dress, like most other dresses, looks great in layered looks. Due to this ability, we can always direct this dress in the desired stylistic direction, putting on top of it light jackets, kimono capes, denim jackets, all kinds of vests, windbreakers, and parkas.
But here the main thing is not to overdo it, and remember that the dress shirt is a light thing, and does not tolerate excessive clutter of various items. The contrast of textures is a correct and actual thing, but a sense of proportion will not be superfluous either. The photo below, for example, is just the right variant when “a little bit with excess” - a thin dress shirt with thick tights, a biker jacket, and a voluminous scarf.
Tip no.2
Wearing shirt dresses with pants - the idea is far from new, and applying it to the dress shirt is easier than to other styles of dresses. Moreover, the dress can be the first and only layer, and the second, acting as a kind of cape.
All kinds of jeans - from skinny to flared - are absolute favorites of this combination. They will look quite modern and relevant, but, of course, neglect accessories, and in this case, too, you should not. And, by the way, you can experiment not only with jeans but also with other types of pants, as well as skirts and even dresses. For example, a simple basic dress with clean cut lines, over which a light shirt dress is worn as a second layer, looks much more interesting than in the “solo” version.
Tip no.3
If you still want to wear the shirt dress by itself, without layering, you can consider it as an ideal canvas for interesting accessories. The more complex the image - the less the details that complement it should catch the eye, and in the case of layered variants, this rule worked perfectly. In this situation, you can switch to quite flashy (statement) jewelry, shoes, and other details that will create an accent and take the image out of the ordinary.
Tip no.4
Some models of shirt dresses already assume an emphasis on the waist - their cut provides a belt or elastic band. To create a feminine image, it is better to choose them, because the straight cut can instantly hide all the beautiful curves of the figure.
By the way, if in your closet there are copies without a belt - no problem! You can accentuate the waist by yourself by choosing a belt suitable in style and color. The main rule here is not to overdo it: a shirt dress has a loose cut, so the accent on the waist should be delicate. You should not tighten the belt too tight.
The shirt dress, like most other dresses, looks great in layered looks. Due to this ability, we can always direct this dress in the desired stylistic direction, putting on top of it light jackets, kimono capes, denim jackets, all kinds of vests, windbreakers, and parkas.
But here the main thing is not to overdo it, and remember that the dress shirt is a light thing, and does not tolerate excessive clutter of various items. The contrast of textures is a correct and actual thing, but a sense of proportion will not be superfluous either. The photo below, for example, is just the right variant when “a little bit with excess” - a thin dress shirt with thick tights, a biker jacket, and a voluminous scarf.
Tip no.2
Wearing shirt dresses with pants - the idea is far from new, and applying it to the dress shirt is easier than to other styles of dresses. Moreover, the dress can be the first and only layer, and the second, acting as a kind of cape.
All kinds of jeans - from skinny to flared - are absolute favorites of this combination. They will look quite modern and relevant, but, of course, neglect accessories, and in this case, too, you should not. And, by the way, you can experiment not only with jeans but also with other types of pants, as well as skirts and even dresses. For example, a simple basic dress with clean cut lines, over which a light shirt dress is worn as a second layer, looks much more interesting than in the “solo” version.
Tip no.3
If you still want to wear the shirt dress by itself, without layering, you can consider it as an ideal canvas for interesting accessories. The more complex the image - the less the details that complement it should catch the eye, and in the case of layered variants, this rule worked perfectly. In this situation, you can switch to quite flashy (statement) jewelry, shoes, and other details that will create an accent and take the image out of the ordinary.
Tip no.4
Some models of shirt dresses already assume an emphasis on the waist - their cut provides a belt or elastic band. To create a feminine image, it is better to choose them, because the straight cut can instantly hide all the beautiful curves of the figure.
By the way, if in your closet there are copies without a belt - no problem! You can accentuate the waist by yourself by choosing a belt suitable in style and color. The main rule here is not to overdo it: a shirt dress has a loose cut, so the accent on the waist should be delicate. You should not tighten the belt too tight.
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