Shirtdress

A shirtdress is a style of women's dress that borrows details from a man's shirt. These can include a collar, a button front, or cuffed sleeves. Often, these dresses are made up in crisp fabrics including cotton or silk, much like a men's dress shirt would be. As they are typically cut without a seam at the waist, these dresses often have a looser fit, usually relying on a belt to define the waist. Button fronts and a forgiving fit make this a flattering look for most body types.

History

Shirtdresses were sometimes called a "shirtwaist dress" when they were fashionable during the 1950s. The 1950s version of the shirtdress was launched as part of Christian Dior's post–World War II "New Look" couture designs, with a full skirt held up by wearing a crinoline.^[1] They often featured a notched collar, and elbow-length sleeves with cuffs. More informal versions of the shirtdress, made of cotton, but retaining the full skirt and collar, became a staple part of many women's wardrobes during the 1950s, with designers such as Anne Fogarty becoming known for their versions of this style.^[2] A 1957 issue of Life magazine includes a photo of a typical cotton shirtdress selling for $25 in New York City.^[3]

A variation of the original shirtdress is the "T-shirt dress". T-shirt dresses began being produced in the 1960s, and are simply an elongated version of a T-shirt.^[4]

Image gallery

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  A 1943 shirtdress.
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  A shirtdress worn with a belt, 1970s.
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  A 1990s shirtdress.
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  A shirtdress worn in 2011.

See also

• Fashion portal

• 1945–60 in fashion