5 Days, 5 Ways: How to Wear a Shirt Dress Without Looking Boring

Styling tips for the casual frock

By Diana Nguyen Dec 11, 2015 7:47 PMTags
Jennifer LawrenceWong/INFphoto.com

Every lazy girl has this one item in their wardrobe—it's easy, breezy and on-trend. Without proper styling, however, this closet staple can look a little homely. You may recognize it as the shirt dress, but celebs know it as an instant way to get attention.

Often featuring a short hemline, the shirt dress is sexy, showing off the wearer's legs. How do you wear this trend in colder seasons? Take note from Jennifer Lawrence and pair yours with an oversize coat or jacket. Make sure the length of the outerwear is significantly longer than the dress to help elongate your legs (and, of course, keep you warm).

Splash

Chrissy Teigen's pregnancy style has been on-point. The mama-to-be is comfortable in this roomy, plaid shirtdress yet it's far from dowdy. The trick is to couple the loose frock with more solid, streamlined silhouettes. See Chrissy's boxy coat and black bag, shoes and socks for evidence.

Keith Hewitt/GC Images

A shirt dress may seem casual but it's perfect for the office. Opt for an iteration with more formal details, like a collar or cuff sleeves. Instead of heels, follow in Cara Delevingne's footsteps and try on oxfords or loafers for a menswear-inspired take on the trend.

Felipe Ramales / Splash News

Of course, there are times you can just throw on a shirt dress and go. In this case, make sure your dress is crisp with clean lines, like Anne Hathaway's. This one item won't make your outfit, though—a statement shoe is necessary to make this look work.

KGC-81/STAR MAX/IPx

The shirt dress and thigh-high boots combo has been a popular trend among the celeb set this season. Leave it to Rita Ora to make the look her own—wearing mesh stockings and a long sleeve underneath her clothes. It's the perfect way to bring an added element of interest to an outfit. If mesh is not your thing, consider another sheer fabric.

There you have it: five ways to wear a shirt dress!

Latest News