How do I wear a button down shirt dress and look nice?

[Anonymous]

I like this style but can’t get my look down - it looks so effortless in person when I see women in the summertime in them:

https://shopenglishfactory.com/products/classic-collared-dress-shirt-hn575d?variant=45642200383721

https://www.quince.com/women/linen-shirt-dress?color=white&size=m&g_network=g&g_productchannel=online&g_adid=703845811807&g_acctid=978-058-8398&g_keyword=&g_adtype=pla&g_keywordid=aud-641030239180:pla-295800756202&g_ifcreative=&g_adgroupid=169608750891&g_productid=45320565555370&g_merchantid=128669708&g_partition=295800756202&g_campaignid=21417780217&g_ifproduct=product&g_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=&utm_term=45320565555370&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21417780217&gbraid=0AAAAAC4ZeNalqLfiP-_63L_u_F3w01b7X&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyajV1Ob4lAMVbUVHAR2WliZyEAQYASABEgKeafD_BwE


I love when people look fashionable in theirs:

[Anonymous]

As with so many of these types of outfits, you have to be thin. I have made so many mistakes buying items that look great on the models and make me look like a blob.

How tall are you? How much do you weigh?

[Anonymous]

First woman looks okay. The second looks ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

My shirt dress is crisp poplin and has an asymmetrical hem that lands at various calf levels. It has a belted waist. I love it, it looks great. Also I'm pretty slim, so that helps too.

[Anonymous]

A longer hemline and a belted waist. Both of these women look like they forgot their pants.

[Anonymous]

I have this dress and it looks great. I agree with PP that these ladies look like they rushed out without fully dressing.

https://karmaeast.com.au/products/chelsea-dress-sakura?option_values=3675606778028,3288293703852

[Anonymous]

I have never liked this look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A longer hemline and a belted waist. Both of these women look like they forgot their pants.

Yes!! Could be because the big white shirt with jeans was the look a few cycles ago but still, I think this looks super sloppy even ignoring that. Like you ran out for milk in DH’s work shirt and forgot pants. It needs to be at least another color.

[Anonymous]

You need to be long in the torso with slim hips and elevate with simple but expensive-looking accessories. As a pear-shaped lady who loathes jewelry and fancy handbags this is just not my look—give me a sundress with a fitted top and flowy skirt any day.

[Anonymous]

At that length, it's meant to be super casual and works best with sandals or cute sneakers, a sun hat, and a straw or canvas tote. It's not going to work in every setting and isn't meant to be polished or dressed up. I have the Frank & Eileen version that I wear pretty often when we're at our summer house . . . the appeal lies in the ease of throwing it on to run to the store, grab coffee in town, or as the equivalent of a housecoat when we have guests.

As the PP above notes, the longer version works better if you want to style it to look more put together:

[Anonymous]

You have to be flat with no curves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A longer hemline and a belted waist. Both of these women look like they forgot their pants.

+1. I think they look like they are sleeping over at their boyfriends and put this on for breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A longer hemline and a belted waist. Both of these women look like they forgot their pants.

+1. I think they look like they are sleeping over at their boyfriends and put this on for breakfast.

This.

I have tried this look and gave up. It looked good when I was in my early 30s and biked everywhere, so was thin as a rail but still felt 'off' so I only wore it around the house. In my 50s, just looks like I forgot my pants.

[Anonymous]

The lady in the calf length belted light blue shirtdress looks nice. The ladies in the short white shirtdresses look like they're wearing nightgowns or their husbands' work shirts. So I think this only works in a longer length and a defined waist, with casual accessories like the sandals and straw tote. Plus being thin with minimal curves. I'm fit but pear shaped and cannot pull off this look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At that length, it's meant to be super casual and works best with sandals or cute sneakers, a sun hat, and a straw or canvas tote. It's not going to work in every setting and isn't meant to be polished or dressed up. I have the Frank & Eileen version that I wear pretty often when we're at our summer house . . . the appeal lies in the ease of throwing it on to run to the store, grab coffee in town, or as the equivalent of a housecoat when we have guests.

As the PP above notes, the longer version works better if you want to style it to look more put together:

This looks super unflattering to me even on the model. Like a saggy top and very round in the belly which I am sure she's not.

These dresses need a bit of taper in the middle which most don't have (otherwise there is a ton of extra material when belted) and yes it takes a very toned thin tall body with nice accessories.