Shirt dresses for women are often thought of as a relatively recent development in fashion, with oversized t-shirt dresses and the boyfriend shirt look developing alongside them. However, shirt dresses have a much longer history than you might imagine – we explore a little of the history and some of the variety on offer below.
The History of Shirt Dresses for Women
The earliest shirt dresses – known then as shirtwaist dresses (a development of what we now know as a blouse) – can be seen in the Victorian era, with modern women of the time looking for less fanciful clothing and something more akin to their male counterparts. In practical terms, a dress that buttoned down the front rather than the back meant that no assistance was needed to clothe oneself, allowing for a more independent lifestyle. However, the shirt dress for women really came into its own during WW1, when women needed practical clothes that were quick to change into but were still recognizably ‘womenswear’. Through the 1940s, the shirt dress was known more commonly as a house coat, or house dress, and was worn day-to-day by women in all walks of life. The shirt dress developed throughout the decades thereafter, from a fuller, more feminine skirt in the fifties to the iconic shoulder pads and long sleeves of the eighties.
Shirt Dresses for The Contemporary Wardrobe
Shirt dresses have evolved now to encompass a whole range of looks, from the oversized t-shirt dress to the boyfriend shirt. Whether you love a feminine, flowing line to your clothes or you’re all about power dressing, there is a shirt dress for you out there. Some of our current options include:
Our white lace midi dress; it has all the freedom of movement associated with a shirt dress, but with a bias cut to flatter your shape. Crisp yet delicate, the lace detailing makes this perfect for both hot summer days and cocktails on the terrace.
White Lace Midi Dress
If you want to bring out your inner hippie and stay cool as it hots up, our palm print smock blouse is the perfect solution. With a button down front and long sleeves, this shirt dress would look great worn over skinny jeans or simply with a pair of strappy sandals for a paddle on a warm day, with the tropical print right on trend for the season.
Blue And Pink Stripe Oversized Shirt
Our blue and pink stripe oversized shirt will be sure to bring out the tomboy in you. Perfect for the office with jeans and a pair of chunky loafers, or wear with strappy heels for a contradictory look. The contrasting pastel colours are a must for your wardrobe this season, and what better way to wear them than as a shirt dress?
If you’re looking for shirt dresses for women, there are a whole array of options out there; check out our ranges of dresses, shirts and oversized tops to find just the right look to make you feel comfortable but cool as you follow generations of women opting for a shirt dress.
Goddiva
Shirt dresses for women are the perfect day-to-night outfit. They’re the ideal choice to take you from the office to the bar. A must-have addition to any wardrobe, you can dress these stylish designs up or down for any occasion. Shop classic navy or white midi dresses for a simple elegant look. Mix things up with cute floral or polka dot prints. Oversized denim dresses and long shirt dresses are the perfect options for lazy weekends to layer up over jeans or leggings. Button up needn’t be boring with these fashion-forward looks. Choose from a wide range of styles from top brands with Goddiva
