27 best shirt dresses that you’ll wear over and over

The best shirt dresses are versatile, flattering and effortlessly stylish. These are the 27 chosen by our fashion experts

some of the best shirt dresses shown on two models
(Image credit: Future / Marina Rinaldi / Hobbs)

The best shirt dresses are some of the most efficient and versatile pieces you can add to your wardrobe. Stylish all year through, a shirt dress is a great silhouette to invest in.

The best shirt dresses for women are an obvious candidate for your capsule wardrobe. Easy to dress up or down, the shirt dress is one of the hardest working silhouettes in your closet. Spin this style into a workwear wonder, teaming with a pair of comfortable flats and your best blazer for an office-ready look, or dress it down for the weekend with a pair of the best white trainers and a classic tote bag. 

A wardrobe essential, you never have to wonder 'are shirt dresses in style', because they never go out of fashion. A universally flattering silhouette, they highlight waists, skim curves and add a perfect level of polish to any outfit. If you've been putting a shirt dress purchase off, wondering how to style a shirt dress, with some clever styling, you can make the best shirt dresses work in all weathers too. Layer over a roll-neck or under sweaters in the coldest of months, and wear oversized with sandals as temperatures climb. In fact, aside from your best jeans and a trusty trench coat, few pieces have such exhaustive styling potential.

When it comes to the fashion trends 2022, shirt dresses aren't going anywhere, but if you want a shrewd and seasonless investment piece then denim, khaki, beige, black and white shirt dresses will go with almost anything and everything, from the latest handbag trends 2022 to any of the best designer heels. Whether you're looking for what to wear to the races or are wondering what to wear to a job interview, a shirt dress is a good place to start. 

Best shirt dresses—5 of our favorite places to shop

27 best shirt dresses chosen by fashion experts

These are the brands serving up the shirt dresses we're loving right now. 

Navy oversized shirt dress

(Image credit: Cos)

1. Cos

Best for work

Specifications

Sizes: US: 2-14 / UK: 32-44 / XS-L

Reasons to buy

+
Androgynous styling
+
Smart 
+
Relaxed-fit

The Cos aesthetic is quite relaxed and often an oversized fit, but they juxtapose this with a lot of classic tailoring styles. At Cos, the shirt dresses feel like an extension of the brand's shirt line. This makes them particularly good for more formal occasions. They do have some softer pieces, that easily flow into evening looks. Layer up gold chains from any of the best jewelry brands for a super slick party-ready look. 


Best shirt dresses from Hobbs

(Image credit: Hobbs)

2. Hobbs

Best for feminine shirt dresses

Specifications

Sizes: US: 2-14 / UK: 6-20

Reasons to buy

+
Varied styles
+
Versatile pieces
+
Dressy iterations

Hobbs are one of the best British clothing brands. A heritage brand, they have been enhancing wardrobes with their pretty, well-tailored pieces for years—even Kate Middleton dresses in the brand. Hobbs are fantastic for workwear and special occasion pieces and their particularly strong when it comes to dresses. They have a really varied selection of shirt dresses including great prints, both floral and geometric, some more casual styles as well as smarter iterations. Expect feminine silhouettes, such as flared skirts and waist-cinching belts for the ultimate in pretty shirt dresses. 


Best shirt dresses from Hush

(Image credit: Hush)

3. Hush

Best for printed shirt dresses

Specifications

Sizes: UK: 4-18

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of color
+
Versatile 
+
Trendy styles

Hush make some of the best loungewear for women, but what you might not realize, is that they also do fantastic outerwear and dresses too. With a real feeling of luxe, Hush's shirt dresses are packed full of print and color to really cheer up your wardrobe. They only list UK prices on their website but they do ship internationally. 


White midi shirt dress

(Image credit: Mango)

4. Mango

Best for seasonless shirt dresses

Specifications

Sizes : US: 0-20 / UK: 4-18

Reasons to buy

+
Wear all year
+
Neutral hues
+
Great price points

Spanish clothing brand Mango is somewhere we head for style staples, so it should come as no surprise that they're on our best shirt dresses list. With a great selection of classic, seasonless pieces, you can always find a good, classic shirt dress at Mango, alongside some more trend-led iterations. 


Midi blue shirt dress with white flowers

(Image credit: M&S)

5. Marks and Spencer

Best for everyday shirt dresses

Specifications

Sizes: US: 2-20 / UK: 6-24

Reasons to buy

+
Great price points
+
Good quality
+
Varied styles

British clothing brand Marks and Spencer is a stalwart of the ready-to-wear market and is recognized around the world for quality products. From fashion to food, Brits love Marks and Spencer for their easy interpretations of the latest trends, which sit alongside seasonless, everyday looks that you can wear time and time again, without breaking the bank. 


Best shirt dresses from Ted Baker

(Image credit: Ted Baker)

6. Ted Baker

Best for trend-led shirt dresses

Specifications

Sizes: US: 2-12 / UK: 6-18

Reasons to buy

+
Premium fabrics
+
Great prints
+
Trendy designs

Ted Baker is known for its fashion nous with a healthy dose of added humor. Expect on-trend styles with added detail, from full sleeves to quirky prints, Ted Baker is the place to head for some really standout pieces that pay homage to classic styles. When it comes to the best shirt dresses the brand can pull on the classic tailoring expertise housed within the menswear side of the business (Ted Baker originally specialized in shirts) to really make its shirt dresses stand out from the crowd. 


Best shirt dresses from Tucker NYC

(Image credit: Tucker NYC)

7. Tucker NYC

Best for silk and cotton shirt dresses

Specifications

Size: XXS-2XL

Reasons to buy

+
High-quality fabrics
+
Ideal for summer and holidays
+
Great for special occasions

A belted shirt dress is a really smart way to emphasize your waist and Tucker NYC has many. Founded in 2006 by Gaby Basora. The womenswear brand creates luxury pieces in classic silhouettes that are made to stand the test of time.

Made in printed silk and cotton, these dresses not only look good, they'll feel wonderful too. Each Tucker dress is designed in New York, and made in the brands' own factory. With a focus on sustainability, each item is created on a made-to-order basis to avoid waste and over-production.

Pink and red twist front shirt dress

(Image credit: Next)

Next

Best for Floral Shirt Dresses

Specifications

Size Range: 6-20

Reasons to buy

+
Vibrant
+
Versatile
+
Great Prices

Next have the biggest range of shirt dresses on this list, showcasing a variety of brands alongside its own in-house designs. With ranges that span petite, main, tall and plus, there is something for every body type and every budget on the Next site. 

model wearing shirt dress with floral print

(Image credit: Marina Rinaldi)

Marina Rinaldi

Best for plus size shirt dresses

Specifications

Sizes:

Reasons to buy

+
High quality styles
+
Great size range
+
Plus size specialist

Italian clothing brand Marina Rinaldi is part of the Max Mara fashion group, delivering exceptionally beautiful and high-quality fashion pieces for fuller figures. One of the best plus size clothing brands, Rinaldi translates the latest trends, alongside a vast collection of tailoring, cruise, casual and occasionwear pieces. True investment items, if you're looking for a luxury camel coat, expertly cut trousers or need a stylish wedding guest outfit, this international designer brand certainly has a few options. 

How to pick a flattering shirt dress

Shirt dresses are a wardrobe essential, a timeless piece that never goes out of style. It’s not just its adaptability that makes the shirt dress one of the best dresses you can buy. They also suit every body type. If you’ve got an athletic or rectangle body shape, wear loose and floaty. Add a waist-whittling belt to draw attention to your best asset if you’ve got an hourglass shape, and layer your shirt dress unbuttoned over jeans if you’re pear-shaped

How to style a shirt dress

Once you have found the best shirt dress for you, it's time to think about how to wear it. 

Here are four styling tips:

  • To look smart—wear your sleeves long and buttoned at the cuffs for a polished look.
  • To look casual—push or roll sleeves up for a chic off-duty look.
  • When it's cold—layer a roll neck underneath.
  • When it's warm—just pop on your favorite sandals and go!
Jess Beech

Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor, with more than eight years experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and is a former Deputy Fashion & Beauty Editor at Future PLC. A beauty obsessive, Jess has tried everything from cryotherapy to chemical peels (minus the Samantha in Sex and The City-worthy redness) and interviewed experts including Jo Malone and Trinny Woodall.

With contributions from