The best shirt dresses are comfortable, breathable and easy to style in multiple ways. Consider them your wardrobe workhorses that you can wear pretty much anywhere. After evaluating many different options, some of our top picks include Abercrombie’s Short-Sleeve Midi Shirt Dress and Tuckernuck’s Callahan Shirt Dress, which are versatile and flattering for casual or more dressed-up days.
Shirt dresses look great with sandals, wedges or sneakers, as well as layered with bold accessories. Brochu Walker’s Havana Dress, for example, can be paired with a leather belt or contrasting handbag. For a mini style that works day or night, Madewell’s Button-Front Mini Shirtdress in Poplin is a standout; and for something a bit longer, Veronica Beard’s Bianca Cotton Shirt Dress is a chic midi. Ahead, all the best shirt dresses that we highly recommend for your summer wardrobe.
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Editor’s Picks At A Glance
- Abercrombie & Fitch Short-Sleeve Midi Shirt Dress
- Tuckernuck Callahan Shirt Dress
- Veronica Beard Bianca Cotton Shirt Dress
- Brochu Walker Havana Dress
- Madewell Button-Front Mini Shirtdress in Poplin
- Doen Juno Belted Striped Cotton-Blend Midi Dress
- J.Crew Elena Shirtdress In Cotton Poplin
- Maeve The Soren Long Sleeve Shirt Dress
- Banana Republic Poplin Maxi Shirt Dress
Fitted And Flattering
While some shirt dresses can be billowy or shapeless, this one nips in at the waist for definition. It has a midi length, classic point collar and chic grown-over sleeves—meaning, it’s not officially sleeveless but still allows for an airy feel. This shirt dress is available in a blue stripe or black, and it comes in petite, regular or tall.
Wear-Everywhere Mini Style
Cut from a cotton and linen blend, this swingy style has a flounce hemline, subtle puff shoulders and button up half placket. Roll the sleeves and wear it with a statement sneaker for a more casual look, or dress it up with big jewelry and a wedge for nighttime.
Cinchable And Striped
Doen Juno Belted Striped Cotton-Blend Midi Dress
This timeless design of this Doen dress makes it equally appropriate for work, going out or just running errands and looking good while doing it. Made from a cotton and rayon blend, it’s breathable with flow for hot days, and the belt allows you to highlight your waist. To note: This style is unlined so bear that in mind.
Wear It Belted Or Loose
Brochu Walker’s tiered shirt dress construction is endlessly flattering, and the cotton poly blend fabric doesn’t wrinkle easily so this is a great option for travel. It has a washed cotton finish, subtle puffed sleeves and a v-neckline that doesn’t dip too low. It’s available in 10 core neutrals and 12 seasonal colors, and it’s also available in a mini length.
Easy Fit With A Casual Feel
Think of this as an ideal style to transition from the beach to lunch to errands. It’s cut from 100% cotton poplin, which is both breathable and cool, and the cuffed sleeves, band collar and stylish shirring at the waist give it an elevated feel. Bear in mind, though, that it’s unlined.
Elevated Summer Stripe
Veronica Beard is something of a master at shirt dresses—often featuring many styles in different lengths and silhouettes each season. This breezy blue and white cotton stripe has a lining so you don’t have to worry about it being sheer, and it features patch pockets and tabs to roll up the sleeves. Side vents and a midi length look great with a mule or wedge.
Stretchy Waist For A Flattering Fit
Instead of a more traditional tie waist, this dress has a smocked waist with a drawstring tie detail that gives it something extra. Simple short sleeve cuffs and a button up half placket keep this style classic, and crisp cotton poplin keeps you cool and looks pulled together.
Breathable Linen And A Sleeveless Design
Mango has lots of great shirt dress styles — the challenge is getting your hands on one before they sell out. We love this breezy, belted linen take—in either sand or green—with its chest flap pockets, midi length and side slits for extra airiness during hot summer months. The slight A-line silhouette is flattering but without a bunch of extra fabric.
Crisp And Structured
Wear this below-the-knee hem, A-line silhouette and belted waist dress to the office or for summer power lunches. The wide sleeves offer upper arm coverage, and they allow freedom of movement to keep you comfortable all day long. This style comes in white and midnight.
Subtle Style Details
A throw-on-and-go summer dress is worth its weight in gold, and this cotton poly blend shirtdress is an outfit you really don’t have to think too hard about. With a relaxed fit that is slightly slimmer at the waist, this dress shows off your shape but also allows you room to breathe. Small details like fabric-covered buttons, dolman sleeves and a shirred, tiered skirt also elevate the design.
Bold Prints And Classic Solids
We love this style either loose or belted with rolled sleeves and strappy sandals, although it would look just as good with sneakers, heels or flip flops. Choose from fashion-forward prints or not-basic black or white. The Soren dress is available in standard, petite and tall sizes, but keep in mind—reviewers say it can be voluminous, so you may want to size down.
Unexpected Shade That's On Trend Right Now
This style is a winner for its rich color, round neckline, on-seam pockets, chic sleeves and exaggerated back vent. Pair it with a straw tote and leather sandals for daytime, or wedges and playful jewelry for evening. Style tip: To get even more wear out of this dress, swap in a different belt in leather or a contrasting fabric.
Casual Linen Blend For Hot Days
Made with a flowy breathable fabric, this above-the-knee style has a soft hand feel and effortless drape. A curved hem and vertical stripe elongate your body and legs, and the self-tie belt allows you to cinch it however you’d like. It’s available in three colors—icy blue wash, ginger floral and coastal crisp stripe.
Utility Mini In A Soft Hue
Chest and hip pockets give this a utilitarian vibe, but the pastel lilac color, faux tortoise buttons, button cuffed sleeves and wide belt that highlights your waist make this a decidedly fashionable choice. It’s fabricated from stretch cotton, so even though it’s fitted, it has flex to move with you.
Zipper Instead Of Button-Front
Sometimes a dress comes along with such unique thoughtful detailing that you just have to make it yours. This style’s cap sleeves, central zipper and smocked waist all serve to accentuate your curves and elongate your body. Another plus: The flattering A-line skirt has pockets for convenience and comfort. It comes in eight colors and standard, petite and plus fits.
Long And Laidback
This classic shirt style—available in a mini stripe or black—looks elevated due to its crisp cotton construction and point collar, but it has a relaxed feel due to its soft hand feel, roomy fit and pockets. It can double as a dress or coverup—belt it to add definition or wear it loose on beach days. Reviewers say this style can run long, so if you’re under 5-feet 5-inches tall you may want to opt for the petite.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s fashion coverage focuses on style, wearability, fit and value. We exhaustively research, evaluate and test clothing and accessories from a wide variety of retailers.
- Forbes Vetted contributor Molly Calhoun has written about lifestyle topics for two decades, and she is constantly in search of the perfect summer dress. She has recently written stories on best linen dresses, best wide leg pants and best dress pants for women.
- The editor for this piece, Forbes Vetted Deputy Editor Kari Molvar, has written about fashion extensively. She focuses on sourcing elevated basics and quiet luxury items that you’ll want to stock in your closet.
- This story is regularly updated to reflect product availability, changes in pricing and style trends. It was most recently updated in June 2024.
What To Consider When Choosing A Shirt Dress
Material
Most shirt dresses come in crisp cotton poplin, which has the benefit of being breathable and looking polished. Cotton polyester blends may not wrinkle as easily, but they also may not have as soft of a hand feel. For extra flowiness, look for cotton combined with linen or viscose. Some styles have added stretchiness, too. Just be mindful, however, that styles with stretch can burn and look shiny if you iron them on a high heat.
Length
Shirt dresses come in every length, from mini to maxi, and the length will determine their appropriateness for different situations, how cool they keep you and how you style them. A midi or maxi style is likely most appropriate in a work environment, while a mini will be the breeziest option for warm days. Length may also impact the shoes you wear your shirt dress with—many stylists like minis and maxis with flats, while midis look great with a heel.
Fit
For the most part, shirt dresses have a relaxed fit, which makes them very comfortable, whether you’re on holiday strolling through coastal towns abroad or you’re wearing them to the office in summer. Shirt dresses with a belt are a great option for flattering your shape—keep in mind you can always add your own belt. Pay attention to user reviews, too. Some styles have the tendency to run large or billowy, so you may want to size down.
Is A Shirt Dress Business Casual?
Yes, it absolutely can be. For a dressier feel that’s work appropriate, choose a shirt dress in a crisp cotton poplin that’s not cut too low (or can be buttoned to your preference), and seek out a length that will be comfortable when sitting or riding an escalator.
How Should I Style A Shirt Dress?
When it comes to accessorizing shirt dresses, pretty much anything goes: Try them with strappy flat sandals, cute sneakers, espadrille wedges or block heels. Pair your shirt dress with chunky fashion jewelry in metals or materials like resin and raffia. For a bag, we like shirt dresses with a slouchy tote or an oversized clutch for a pop of color. To add definition at your waist, pair them with a leather belt—something wide or wrapped looks chic. For sweltering beach days, wear your shirt dress open or partially buttoned as a cover-up.
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