Get smart with stylish shirt dresses
A shirt dress is a versatile garment that can be styled in several ways. Dress it up for something that's smart enough for the office, or keep it relaxed for a casual weekend. These dresses are ideal for emphasising a feminine figure: They look great with a wide, chunky belt, which allows you to seriously define your waist. There are two basic styles of shirt dress to choose from. The first has no waist seam and the style lines of an oversized shirt. This is more casual, suitable for weekends and days off. Alternatively, choose one with a waist seam; normally, it will flare out from the waist for a 50s-style silhouette. Ideal for hourglass or pear-shaped figures, these full-skirted dresses are suitable for both the workplace and the weekend.
The denim shirt dress: An all-time classic
One of the most popular shirt dresses out there is a simple garment in blue denim. With a laid-back, casual look to it, this is ideal for relaxed dates, shopping trips, or hanging out with friends. To keep it casual, roll up the sleeves to elbow height, leaving them with big cuffs. Don't do up all the buttons; leave it open at the top to create the impression of a little V-neck. Style with a big belt; brown leather always goes well with denim. Don't add brown leather boots too, though – you can go too far into cowboy territory. Instead, stick with comfortable trainers or, if you want to dress it up a bit, heeled court shoes.
Wearing a shirt dress for summer
For the ultimate summer style, look for white shirt dresses. These could be made from a light lace or eyelet fabric, in which case you'll need to have a slip underneath. Leave the bottom of the skirt unbuttoned for a relaxed look, and accessorise with a simple pair of sandals. This kind of summer shirt dress can be worn with heels or flats, making it easy to go from daytime to evening. Don't try to make it too smart, though. You're better off embracing the casual style by adding a pair of relaxed wedges or espadrilles. Finish the look off with a simple necklace – or, if you're going somewhere warm and sunny, pop a wide-brimmed sun hat onto your head and add some big shades.
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