The shirt dress .. how to make these look less frumpy!?

[Anonymous]

They seem dated and something a post-menopausal woman would wear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually don't think most of them look good. I am thin, tall, and pretty flat chested. I still dislike this style on me. The ones that look good have tailoring. Otherwise, a belt just results in a lot of excess fabric getting bunched up and looking bulky / sloppy.

Hmm... Are you thinking of the same type of shirt dress as I? i think of true shirt dresses as having set in waist bands so the belt really is sort of decorative and would never bunch up the fabric more.

There are ones that have no set in waistband that are kind of straight up or down or mildly A line where a belt is essential to having a waist. There I could see why the fabric would bunch up and could look sloppy if you have a less than perfect figure.

This vs that, both from Brooks Brothers:

https://www.brooksbrothers.com/signature-a-line-cotton-sateen-shirt-dress/WX00818.html?dwvar_WX00818_Color=KHAK&quantity=1

https://www.brooksbrothers.com/puff-sleeve-belted-shirt-dress-in-linen/WX00833.html?dwvar_WX00833_Color=WHIT&quantity=1

I'm a NP, but I think ones that come with a belt and defined waist was not my first thought. I was thinking of more A-line or straight styles when I read the OP. Mainly because I'm not sure who would struggle to style the dresses you posted, they either fit and look good on you or they don't.

The PP from above and agree, these don't need to be styled. They are tailored and shouldn't have extra bulky fabric.

I am thinking of this type - almost all of these that are straight cut. I assumed this is what OP was asking about. I think most of these are difficult to style / look bad on most people.

https://www2.hm.com/en_us/women/products/dresses/shirt-dresses.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not so thin pear who preferentially wears shirtdresses. The vee that comes from unbuttoning the first few buttons and collar seem more flattering than actual V necks. I agree a belt is essential; and not the self belts most come with.

They are not that flattering on larger busted people unless they have a long torso and a smaller waist. And in general are not that flattering on anyone who doesn't have a smaller waist.

Do you have any links to a few that you might recommend?

[Anonymous]

I'm thin but with a large chest. I don't wear them because I would have to do a lot of tailoring to make the dress fit right. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not so thin pear who preferentially wears shirtdresses. The vee that comes from unbuttoning the first few buttons and collar seem more flattering than actual V necks. I agree a belt is essential; and not the self belts most come with.

They are not that flattering on larger busted people unless they have a long torso and a smaller waist. And in general are not that flattering on anyone who doesn't have a smaller waist.

Do you have any links to a few that you might recommend?

I wear the ones with a set in waist like the Brooks Brothers one posted above. They are currently carrying another like this in a plaid. They have made this same style for many years in different prints that you can find on Poshmark.

I also have this one from Tuckernuck in a different color I bought less year: https://tnuck.com/products/red-chloe-dress

Also: https://www.talbots.com/fit-and-flare-poplin-shirtdress---spring-fleur/P241036058.html?cgid=apparel-dresses&dwvar_P241036058_color=WHITE%20MULTI&dwvar_P241036058_sizeType=MS#start=1&sz=108 and the Sutton shirtdress also from Talbots. Note: In the comments, larger busted women complain the dresses are too small in the bodice.

Brooks Brothers and Talbots were kind of my go to places as they could be counted on to carry this type of dress. This year, many other places like J Crew are carrying them.

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'3" 145 lbs and 34D bust. Bought this dress and belt it and get lots of compliments. I'm usually medium, but bought small this time. There doesn't seem to be too much fabric, as is often the case with other dresses.
https://www.jmclaughlin.com/products/wellesley-linen-dress-solid-lt-blue

[Anonymous]

I love the look of a shirt dress, but they just don't look good on me. I think it looks best on someone who has no shape.

[Anonymous]

Idk but they don't look good on me! It depends on your body type re how it might be able to work for you.

[Anonymous]

I’m 5”10 and a size 10/12. I love the straighter shirt dress styles. They tend to be longer than other dresses and look polished even though they’re comfy like a nightgown. Throw on some jewelry and nice shoes and I’m ready to go! Most dresses look ridiculous on me but I love me a shirtdress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need a good belt and maybe some tailoring.

+1 the top needs to fit like a fitted shirt. Add the belt.

They look horrible when they have drop shoulders, no chest/shoulder seams, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Large chested person here. I just don’t wear them. I have an hourglass-ish type shape and look nothing but matronly. I always try a few each year though! And always return them.

+1. I have an hourglass shape and very large chest and it’s a horrible look for us. We can really only get away with wearing a v neck, scoop, or square up top and definitely more fitted clothing. Otherwise it’s frump city.

[Anonymous]

I’ve tried them but they rarely work. At best they look ok on skinny people. If you are slightly overweight, they are awful.
A belt makes it even shorter too.

They need to stop making these because most people buy them and never wear them.