It’s not like it’s hard to wear a silk shirt dress, but there are times when styling it as a one-and-done doesn’t work as well.
Quote of the day: “Action cures fear.” David J. Schwartz
Believe me, I know. In fact, I created a video around the fact that you can feel exposed when sitting in your shirt dress.
But once you start experimenting with your closet and layering or transforming it, you can still wear your silk shirt dress with confidence.
While this isn’t the case with every silk shirt dress, some are more modest than others.
That’s exactly why we wanted to showcase three ways to wear a silk shirt dress. And believe me, this isn’t your basic wear-it-as-a-dress-and-call-it-a-day situation. Between Cathie, Charlotte, and me, we transformed this classic piece from basic into fantastically functional.
It’s always amazing how one piece can work in so many different ways, no matter your age, shape, or style personality.
Cathie styled her silk shirt dress the traditional way, as a dress! This in no way means the look is boring.
As visual people, color and silhouette are details that stand out at first glance. Thus, the bright pink color captures your attention and is fabulous.
The sleeveless detail also makes this dress versatile for other seasons. It would look just as amazing layered over a long-sleeve t-shirt or turtleneck.
Details:
-The thin tan belt is a perfect way to pull in the extra material since Cathie’s shirt dress doesn’t have darts. She tucked the belt’s end under itself so it wouldn’t flap around. Another option to fix this issue is to put an ortho elastic on the belt or even an elasticized ring to act as a belt loop. (See my video for a visual example of this.)
-Matching your purse to your shoes is not required anymore, but it can create cohesiveness.
-Cathie also accessorized with silver jewelry, which looks great with the bright pink dress color.
I had my mom wear a skirt under her silk shirt dress. While it’s not super short that she can’t wear it alone, as she has when styling summer brights, it’s nice to have this option. It’s such a great trick if you need your dress longer. You still get the focus on the dress, but you add a bit of extra material.
Insider tip: Usually it helps to copy the silhouette of the dress with the skirt you choose, but you can see how the pleats of the navy skirt look incredible flowing out from the shirt dress. Moral of the story: try it on before you count it out.
Details:
-With a print dress like this, you have a wide range of colors to choose from for your accessories. You can pick one color and go with it, or choose multiple colors. My mom focused on orange, but her earrings have a variety of colors.
-She’s carrying the same straw purse from our orange top prompt, where she glued/sewed material on it to give it a flower decoration.
-I had Mom swap out her belt for one of mine. I Love how the macrame blends into the background, yet makes it a bit more casual.
I decided to wear my silk shirt dress in an ultra-casual, modern way, as a duster over a neutral ribbed knit dress.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve worn this shirtdress this way. The first time I wore it over a top and pair of pants.
When I retired, I considered purging this dress, but it was one that was a tad expensive when I bought it. Now that I’ve been really leaning into the idea that a shirt dress doesn’t have to be “just” a dress, I am wearing it more and more.
And even though it’s long-sleeved, it’s lightweight enough for all seasons.
Details:
-I used cardigan pins to hold up the sleeves so they were 3/4 length.
-The bracelet was made by a local jewelry designer who lives in Arizona.
-This white dress is an XL, and a perfect example of why we shouldn’t be swayed by a size number. I like that it’s not tight and clingy.
-I also used a sweater clip at the back of my shirt dress to create more of an opening in the front.
The best part about a silk shirt dress is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Since most shirt dresses come with a full-length of buttons down the front, you can wear them unbuttoned and play around with them easily.
And even though some are a silky material, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them for casual. Add sneakers and a baseball hat, and you’re set for running errands.
Trust me, it doesn’t have to sit in your closet waiting for a special occasion.
Pull it out and play with it. Belt it. Layer it. Drape it over jeans. Button it up or leave it loose. Style is all about experimentation—and having fun with it.
Our trio just scratched the surface with these three looks, but hopefully we’ve sparked some new ideas for how to style yours.
Of course, the whole idea with many of my blog posts is to cause inspiration, even with items you already have.
Many of the outfits we show can remind you of something already in your closet. Whether it’s a color combination, a way to transform your clothing, or just a spark of motivation to style an old piece in a brand-new way, it’s all about seeing your wardrobe with fresh eyes and having fun with fashion again.
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