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
- Cos—with elements of androgynous tailoring, Cos make super sleek shirt dresses from $115 / £69
- Mango—seasonless shirt dresses, you can always find a classic shirt dress here, prices from £29.99 / $49.99
- Marks and Spencer—from cute prints to more timeless everyday shirt dresses, prices from £25 / $33
- Tucker—great for high-end natural fabrics, such as silk, in lots of great colors and prints, prices from $225 (international shipping available)
- Marina Rinaldi—for high-end, plus size shirt dresses, look no further, prices from $485 / £285
27 best shirt dresses chosen by fashion experts
These are the brands serving up the shirt dresses we're loving right now.
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.
RRP: $120 / £69 | The best white shirt dresses are timeless buys. An ideal wardrobe essential, it can be easily dressed up or down. To make it work for the evening, team with sandals and classic jewelry. For a more directional look, try a Gladiator sandal from the shoe trends 2022.
RRP: $120 / £69 | Evoke the denim trends 2022 with this oversized shirt dress. The weighty fabric and relaxed silhouette is ideal for layering over knits and tights in the winter before pairing with the flats come spring. If you want to add shape back to your silhouette, add a leather belt to create curves.
RRP: $135 / £79 | With minimalistic styling, reminiscent of the best Scandinavian clothing brands, this androgynous style shirt dress is ideal for every day. With a smart finish, you can wear this to an office or interview environment with ease. The classic hue means you can wear it in all seasons.
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.
RRP: £139 (UK only) | This pretty picnic check print dress in monochome colors is ideal for spring. The check print reminds us of how much there is to look forward to when the sun reappears. Pair with trainers at the weekend and knee-high boots for a smarter execution.
RRP: $270 / £129 | Machine washable, with a good amount of cotton, this would make a great summer outfit for work. The full skirt that kicks out from the waist is super flattering and the belt at the waist can easily be changed for a contrasting leather style for customization.
RRP: $375 / £179 | A black and white bloom print will never date. Hobbs dresses are definitely an investment purchase so opting for classic colorways helps to give them versatility and longevity. This can easily be dressed up if you're wondering what to wear to a wedding this summer.
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.
- View all Hush shirt dresses from £79 (international shipping available)
RRP: £79 (international shipping available) | This attractive
animal print dress with asymmetric hem will be the weekend dress you wear on-repeat come the summer. Pair with great white trainers and any of the best leather jackets for a dressed-down look.
RRP: £99 (international shipping available) | Animal print is largely considered a neutral these days, so this shirt dress is likely to be high on some wishlists. Stylish, comfy and easy to dress up or down. Team with your best denim jacket for an instant spring-ready outfit.
RRP: £99 (international shipping available) | Green is a major fashion color trend 2022 and this shirt dress with its pretty star print is right on the money. From summer weddings to pared-back with a casual jacket, this is one of a hardworking dress you need this season.
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.
RRP: $79.99 / £49.99 | Oversized has been the name of the game since post-lockdown as we all try to remember what it's like not to just be lounging around in our best hoodies. This oversized, tailored white shirt dress is great for getting back to the 9-5.
RRP: $99.99 / £59.99 | This asymmetrical, non-traditional shirt dress with part wrap and part button-front is a great statement piece. The drape detailing alongside the slanted stripes is a really flattering style and the monochrome palette makes this one timeless.
RRP: $79.99 / £49.99 | We've seen lots of leather pieces creeping onto the runway over the past few seasons—leather coats, shirts, jackets and dresses are all pieces to add to your wardrobe stat! This leather dress will look amazing over a crisp white blouse too.
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.
RRP: $77.50 / £45 | Add some color to your wardrobe and make a statement with one of the best pink dresses this summer. Made from linen, it'll keep you cool and comfortable in the summer months. You can swap the fabric belt for a leather one to dress it up.
RRP: $69 / £39.50 | You can never go wrong with floral print. This beautiful blue midi shirt dress with white flowers is ideal for a day-out. The perfect partner when wondering how to style knee-high boots, this dress can be worn all year round.
RRP: $50 / £29.50 | This checked shirt dress with a frilled hem and tie waist is here to get you ready for the spring. Ideal for dressing down on weekends, pair with some of the new season's best Chelsea boots—we recommend a pair in tan.
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.
RRP: $525 / £325 | To the fashion crowd animal print is very much a neutral and Ted Baker offer a new season spin in this mixed fabrication design. The panel detailing offers a statement and quirky finish than can be easily styled up for an occasion.
RRP: £225 (UK Only) | This show-stopping style looks like it has sashayed right off the runway. For a smart day look, pair with any of the best tote bags and a smart pair of pumps for an easy-breezy summer outfit. Add a slim belt if you want to highlight your waist.
RRP: $395 / £225 | Playing on the utility trend, this boxy shirt dress in a neutral beige is one to think about as we head to warmer months. Dress down for weekends with trainers, or style-up for a glam night out with heels, a clutch bag and some chunky jewelry.
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.
- View all Tucker shirt dresses from $225 (international shipping available)
RRP: $225 (international shipping available) | With a fitted bodice and fully flared skirt, the Allyson dress features an invisible front zip fastening—because who said shirt dresses had to have buttons. This pink and white print will look great with white boots or trainers.
RRP: $265 (international shipping available) | With a smocked waist, voluminous sleeves and a button-up neck, this pretty printed dress pushes the boundaries of how we see a traditional shirt dress. When you think about how to style a shirt dress, don't assume it means stuffy.
RRP: $475 (international shipping available) | Ready for the summer, silk dresses are perfect for warm weather. In a number of different prints, this silk, full-skirted shirt dress, with discreet front zip is ideal if you've been wondering what to wear to a wedding this summer.
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.
RRP: $66 / £46 | Red and pink have always been seen as colors that clash, but they actually look brilliant together. The central twist on this shirt dress also makes it a stylish dress to hide a tummy.
RRP: $69 / £48 | Look radiant in this vibrant pink polka dot midi shirt dress. Perfect for casual or smart occasions. Pair with neutral heels and some oversized shades for a fun finish.
RRP: $50 / £35 | Make a statement with this multi-colored mini shirt dress with polka dots and animal print. Embrace this season's bright color clothing trend and go boldly into spring.
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.
RRP: $485 / £285 | Inject the dopamine dressing trend into your wardrobe this season with a bright and bold shirt dress. This waisted style with deep pockets treads the line between smart tailoring and fun occasionwear.
RRP: $765 / £440 | This relaxed fit, denim look dress is a lovely casualwear piece. While this dress has a high price tag, Marina Rinaldi do make some of the best dresses using high-quality fabric, ensuring they will last.
RRP: $1,665 / £885 | Shopping for the best mother of the groom dresses or best mother of the bride outfits this summer? This show-stopping silk dress with floral print is super chic and incredibly flattering. Opt for pink accessories to match the print.
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!
