21 Shirt Dresses to Swing into Spring

The shirt dress is one of the most classic garments on the market. Originating in the early 1900s as the “shirtwaist” dress, they were often shown in old family photographs, Hollywood movies, and the royal family.

Shirt dresses have remained popular for so long because they are comfortable, versatile, and convey easy elegance. But don't dismiss them as boring. Trust us, the options out now are not your mother’s shirt dresses. Sure, there are selections that hold true to classic tailoring and crisp fabrics, but nowadays, there are a number of ways to do a shirt dress. From lace and patterned prints, to lustrous, color-blocked poplin, there's an option for the bright and and peppy fashionista, to the understated style maven. To make a modern outfit, pair a shirt dress with knee high boots or a strappy, colorful heel. For a more classic look, opt for a pump or an espadrille. The wonderful thing about shirt dresses is the amount of space they allow for your personal style to shine through. Here, 21 of our favorite shirt dress styles to wear as the weather gets warmer through spring and into the summer.