How to recognise it
You see a shirt collar, a button placket down the front, often cuffs and chest pockets. It can be straight, belted at the waist, or have a waist seam and a fuller skirt.
Where it comes from
In the first half of the 20th century dresses took on the details of men's shirts, and in the 1950s the shirtwaist dress became an everyday home and work garment in the United States. Later Halston and other designers reworked it.
Who and when it suits
It is one of the most practical dresses: good for the office, travel and weekends. Worn open, it doubles as a long overshirt over a T-shirt and jeans.
Variations and look-alikes
It comes straight, belted, or with a waist seam and a fuller skirt, short- or long-sleeved, in cotton, linen, denim or viscose. The denim version suits weekends, the silk one evenings. It differs from a wrap dress in the central button placket and the shirt collar.
How to style it
- With a leather belt and loafers for the office.
- Unbuttoned as a light layer in summer.
- Roll the sleeves for a more relaxed look.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01Is a shirt dress office-appropriate?
Yes, especially in cotton or viscose, knee or midi length, with a belt and closed shoes.
02What is a shirtwaist dress?
A shirt dress with a waist seam and a fuller skirt, popular in the 1950s.