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Unless you live under a boulder, you’ve heard of the wardrobe workhorse that is the humble shirt dress: having gone viral after Gap’s take on the trend appeared on both Anne Hathaway and Julia Fox, with the silhouette being spotted everywhere from Copenhagen’s Fashion Week streets to J. Lo’s Euro Summer photo carousel since then.
But what makes the item — which borrows its design codes from a traditional men’s button-up while being long enough to wear as a dress — so special and coveted?
7 Best Shirt Dresses to Shop & Own This Year
Breathable, packable, and supremely versatile, the shirt dress can be found in a multitude of iterations that align with various needs and aesthetic preferences. Looking for an under-$40 option to don at the office? There’s the über-popular Old Navy Pintuck-Waist Midi Shirt Dress for the taking, which clocks in at just $31 for a limited time and will bless your curves with its smocked waist. Need a denim number that can transition from work meeting to weekend brunch? Ralph Lauren’s midi offering is your best bet, particularly for fall.
No matter their material, hemline length, collar type, or hue, the best shirt dresses of 2026 are bound to take your seasonal dressing to a whole new level while being some of the easiest things to throw on in the morning before rushing out the door.
Unsure of the exact SKUs to snag before that upcoming vacation or job interview? Keep reading for our editors’ personally selected picks.
best overall
Old Navy Pintuck-Waist Midi Shirt Dress
Thousands of search queries, an under-$40 price point, and unmissable details like a smocked waist, cropped sleeves, pinstripe pattern, and spread collar: This is the Old Navy Pintuck-Waist Midi Shirt Dress in all its glory, so it’s really no wonder the buzzy buy keeps selling out of sizes.
The 100-percent cotton twill fabric here is washable, crisp, breezy, and flattering in equal measure, and the dress’ buttons all the way down the front offer up numerous styling possibilities. (Want to show some leg with a sexy slit? Go right ahead.) We like that the Old Navy bestseller hits at mid-shin, thereby suiting footwear from sandals to autumnal booties.
What reviewers say: “Lightweight material, great for the summer, and you can layer for fall/winter, too.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $31.49
best denim
Ralph Lauren Belted Denim Midi Shirtdress
Denim dresses have always been a transitional-weather nonnegotiable, but we’re especially partial to their shirt dress format: typically entailing a preppy, pointed collar, usable pockets, and a tie at the waist for accentuating this region.
Ralph Lauren is a go-to choice for said denim shirt dresses. Though pricey, the one you see above ends up paying dividends in comfort and intricate elements like that back yoke, side-split hem, logo-clad buttons, and barrel cuffs. Roll up the sleeves or wear as pictured — in any case, you’ll find yourself turning to this fan favorite one too many times in a single week (that’s a promise).
What reviewers say: “The fit is true to size. The denim material is soft and high-quality. The seams are well-sewn. The buttons are small but manageable. It is a well-made garment.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $225
most softness
Gap Linen-Blend Midi Shirtdress
GapStudio’s internet-breaking Poplin Maxi Shirtdress, a custom version of which was made specifically for Hathaway and Fox, is now sold out and for good reason. But Gap has no shortage of other worthy selections in this category, like the Linen-Blend Midi Shirtdress with hundreds of positive reviews to its name.
Customers rave about the frock’s linen and viscose blend that fuses structure with thermoregulation and forgiving stretch; heavier-than-usual weight that will help the dress sit on your body just so; and subtle shirring at the back for added textural appeal. Its bold-red colorway is almost completely out of stock, but we think this black alternative will complement even more of your daily sartorial essentials — from silky bandanas to suede-bedecked handbags.
What reviewers say: “I love this dress. It has a great fit; not too tight across the body, but not like a sack either. Very flattering, and the fabric is a good weight.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $58.80
striped option
Gap Poplin Cinched Midi Shirtdress
We can’t stay away from Gap for too long, clearly, as it has one of the most extensive assortments of shirt dresses to buy online.
For something more form-fitting, go with this Poplin Cinched Midi Shirtdress: witnessing good inventory across Regular, Petite, and Tall sizes as we speak. Its main draw is undoubtedly that cinched empire waist, which spares you from having to seek out a matching belt and contributes to a sleeker, more streamlined appearance on the whole. The dress’ cotton poplin makeup is a godsend for humid days, and those brown stripes are a charming touch that won’t be going out of style anytime soon.
What reviewers say: “It comes with a liner, which is ideal because it’s a bit see-through. Very comfortable, light, and breathable. I receive many compliments!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $59.97
best printed
A New Day Women’s Puff 3/4 Sleeve Smocked Waist Shirtdress
This right here is the printed shirt dress that most successfully caught our eye, due in no small part to its elasticized puff sleeves, drawn-in waist, and cheery color palette.
The new-to-Target pick from the retailer’s in-house brand A New Day has the potential to end your work-dressing woes once and for all. Simply pull the dress over your head, accessorize with some gold jewelry, lace up a pair of white sneakers (trust us on this one), and seize the day while looking like a million bucks… on just $38.
What reviewers say: “The fit is perfect. Nice, casual work dress.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $38
steepest discount
Banana Republic Poplin Utility Midi Shirtdress
Another brand to watch in the shirt-dress space, Banana Republic keeps releasing hit after hit, but perhaps none is as loved (and frequently shouted-out) as this Poplin Utility Midi Shirtdress. We recommend investing in the on-sale find for a few key reasons, among them the lapel collar’s ability to layer beautifully under a jacket, the presence of handy pockets at the chest and sides, as well as the included belt that you can take off for a looser, baggier profile.
When wrapped in the Tomato shade, it’s hard to stop gawking at this poplin gem, but the shirt dress is also available in trend-aware hues and prints like Olive Stripe, Landslide Green, and Medium Wash (with a denim composition). Our advice? Grab it in multiples.
What reviewers say: “I love everything about this dress, especially the chest pockets. No bra needed in the thick of summer! The loose fit and cap sleeves make it look more modern. The poplin is just the right weight. I own every single stripe color.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $54.98
most unusual design
Mango Striped Scarf Midi Shirt Dress
Mango is lauded for crafting closet staples you can’t spend summer and fall without, and this shirt dress is case in point. It’s safe to say you’ll become obsessed with its accompanying scarf that drapes languidly over the dress’ waist and makes it unlike any other product in this roundup. Major nautical energy is also exuded by that teal-and-white alternating stripe.
Consider this a no-brainer for your next sunset sail, aperetivo hour with friends, and destination wedding.
What reviewers say: “High-quality dress with a nice cut that you can dress up or down!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $129.99
Jessica Alba, Shay Mitchell, Julia Fox, Karlie Kloss, and Kendall Jenner wearing various iterations of the shirt dress trend over the years.
Courtesy Getty Images
History of Shirt Dresses
Merging the formality of a men’s button-up with the feminine fluidity of a dress, the shirt dress is by no means a new concept in fashion. In fact, after evolving from its shirtwaist origins, it became one of the most desirable — and mass-produced — clothing styles of the 20th century: transcending occupation, class, and location, courtesy of an inherently democratic ethos.
No longer did women have to wait for someone else to lace up their corseted dress, now buttoning the outfits independently. (It’s important to note that a shirt dress had to have buttons down the front to be eligible for this designation.)
Vogue was busy writing about the shirt dress as far back as the 1930s, calling it an “institution”: after which the look became the calling card of housewives, factory workers, waitresses, and beyond, shapeshifting across cuts and fabrics based on the trends of the day.
According to British designer Jasper Conran, “it wasn’t until 1947 that the item reached a high-fashion status, thanks to Christian Dior’s iconic ‘New Look,’” which in turn gave it a “decidedly feminine leaning, featuring a fuller skirt and [nipped] waistline.”
Model Lisa Fonssagrives wearing a belted shirtdress by Nantucket Natural, circa 1950.
Courtesy Serge Balkin/Getty Images
Cinema, from Old Hollywood classics to recent award winners, further propelled this dress type towards stardom, and so did its high-profile placements on social media and red carpets.
Timeless, easy to dress up or down, and ideal for work and play alike, the shirt dress, at the end of the day, can be anything you want it to be: harking back to its original intention of giving women more freedom, in a literal and metaphorical sense.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, wrote about tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the most prevalent trends in fashion and how to shop them online.
