Shirt dresses are a classic style inspired by the silhouette of a man’s button-front shirt. Although they can sometimes seem a little plain and shapeless on the hanger, they are really a chic and versatile thing to have in your closet. Here are ten easy ways to style a shirt dress you might not have thought of.

Chic Summer Shirtdress is perfect for Work and Play

1. Wear a Shirt Dress with Heels, a Clutch and Bare Legs

If you want to look sexy in a shirt dress, this is the way to do it.  Heels and bare legs with a short, sassy shirt dress is going to make it look like you grabbed your hubby’s shirt and didn’t bother with pants.

Make sure your legs look attractive bare because this way of wearing a shirtdress does not look good with pantyhose.  It’s fair to say that the older you are, the trickier this look is. If you think it can work for you, be sure to keep it classy by adding a sophisticated clutch, designer shoes, and some high-end accessories.

2. Try Bootie with a Shirtdress

Booties can also look super cute and very modern with a Shirtdress and don’t worry, it won’t be a clunky look. Sleek leather or suede booties with a pointy toe elongate the legs and give you a chic look.

2. Pair a Shirt Dress with Sneakers

Sneakers with a shirtdress are cute, comfy and much easier to wear at middle age than heels. Choose lace-up or slip-on statement sneakers. The thicker the sole, the trendier the look.

3. Layer a Shirt Dress over Leggings or Skinny Jeans

If you feel your shirt dress is too short to wear it as a dress, wear it as a tunic shirt with leggings. Black or white leggings are usually best. Avoid patterns even if you are wearing a solid colored shirtdress. They don’t look classy.

4. Slip a Long Vest over a Shirtdress

A long sleeveless vest in a neutral color worn over a solid color shirtdress or a print shirtdress such as a stripe or floral can look very chic

5. Unbutton Your Shirtdresss

Use your shirt dress as a layering piece, wearing it partly unbuttoned to reveal a camisole underneath or all the way open like a long jacket.  It’s very feminine when you are strategically undone, and when you wear it with a  belt or tie waist, it creates a feminine, figure-flattering silhouette.

6. Throw a Jean Jacket Over a Shirtdress

A cure jean jacket or cropped boyfriend blazer looks cute and perky with a Shirt Dress.

7. Choose a Fit and Flare Shirt Dress if You are Pear-Shaped

If you are pear-shaped, choose a shirt dress with an A-line or flared bottom. A regular shirt straight cut shirt dress may be too tight across the hips.

8. Pair Skinny Jeans with a Shirtdress

Skinny jeans that grab the ankles are almost like leggings and can look great with a crisp cotton shirt dress with a collar. Heels look great with this chic duo.

9. Roll up Your Sleeves to Look Sporty

Push or roll up your sleeves to create a youthful and sporty 3/4 length. Some shirt dresses come with roll-tab sleeves, which are ideal.

10. Combine it with a Boyfriend Cardigan

A long cozy boyfriend cardigan can be an excellent layering piece for a shirt dress, especially when the shirt dress is on the silky side.

11. Switch Out the Self-Belt for a New Vibe

The self-belt that often comes with a shirt dress can make your dress seem average and not so figure-flattering. Try a different belt -leather, chain, or rope belt to add some style.

12. Wear a Shirtdress with Flat Sandals

Many shirt dresses are on the short side, which is why they look good with flats.

13. Try a Collarless Shirt Dress

Collarless shirt dresses are a softer take on the look (perfect for more feminine styles.

14.  Add Feminine Jewelry For Balance

Balance the masculine vibe of a shirt dress by wearing pretty jewelry, a beautiful bag, and some sexy sandals or feminine shoes.

15.  Hourglass? Avoid Boxy Shirtdresses

If you have a defined waist, choose a shirt dress with a slight taper at the waist to avoid looking shapeless and bulky. A drawstring waist will give you shape too, or belt your waist.

What do you think? Are you ready to give a shirt dress a go?

How to style a Shirtdress for women

1. "9 Ways to Style a Shirtdress for a Chic and Comfortable Look"
2. "From Work to Weekend: How to Style a Shirtdress"
3. "10 Accessories to Elevate Your Shirtdress Look"
4. "How to Dress Up or Dress Down Your Shirtdress"
5. "Mix and Match: How to Style a Shirtdress with Different Pieces"
6. "Shirtdress: The Ultimate Summer Wardrobe Staple"
7. "From Casual to Formal: Styling a Shirtdress for Any Occasion"
8. "Flattering Shirtdresses for Every Body Type"
9. "The Art of Layering: How to Style a Shirtdress with Jackets and Cardigans"
10. "Sustainable Styling: How to Repurpose Your Shirtdress for Different Looks".

Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway fashion designer. She studied and specialized in women's fashion at London College of Fashion, UK and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, Alice Temperley to name a few. She has her own successful resort wear, vacation dresses, special occasion dresses, wedding guest looks, swim coverups label. While on Project Runway Season 13, she won 2 challenges and was fortunate to show her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The brand has been featured in Marie Claire US, Workshop at Macy's, Ftv.com, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vogue online to name a few. 

She designs limited edition high end printed spring dresses, casual resort attire, wearable art clothing, and swim coverups. Beautiful prints are inspired from around the world to be worn during travel, resort stay or cruise holidays.

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