https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:39:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress/page/2#post-2699 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:52:20 +0000 Julia 2699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of my ex-coworkers claimed that she never bought anything more than $20 yet she was one of the most stylish women in our department. I don't see anything wrong with shopping at bargain places. It just makes you smarter if you can find the right stuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress/page/2#post-2697 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:11:19 +0000 Antje 2697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got my yellow earrings at Claire's. I find most of their accessories are very cheesy, but the yellow/silver earrings there just did the trick. I also saw fun earrings and other accessories at Macy's recently.</p> <p>Right now I'm under a (temporary) very restrictive budget, and I'm avoiding a lot of stores to not even get tempted. And I've become the queen of bargain shopping and finding unexpected treasures at places like Target (wearing my $39 Target wrap dress today, feeling tres chic, and already got several compliments ;-)) or JC Penney or, in this case, Claire's. It's been kinda fun; at least I can still indulge in my love of shopping and accessorizing; I just have to work harder for it and venture into stores that I used to only buy clothes for my daughter at. Anyway, just thought I'd give that background, so folks don't peg me as someone who exclusively shops at bargain dept. stores (not that there is anything wrong with it), but also to encourage everyone else not to discard those places. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress/page/2#post-2695 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:17:08 +0000 Julia 2695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Antje, where did you get your yellow earrings? I'm looking for a pair myself. </p> <p>I went to the loft yesterday and saw some oval shaped bracelet in green, they look pretty good. I only find a picture in black online but you get the idea:<br /> <a href="http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=13283&#038;No=30&#038;pCategoryId=231&#038;Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_235&#038;N=1200037&#038;Nty=1&#038;categoryId=235&#038;defaultColorNameFromCategory=Black&#038;defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses" rel="nofollow">http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses</a></p> <p>I found this yellow belt from the loft website, maybe I should get it too:<br /> <a href="http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=13058&#038;categoryId=270&#038;pCategoryId=null&#038;productVariantId=115851&#038;quantity=1&#038;itemGUID=29dde70bc0a8656539c2ee6f9de44f8c&#038;sizeType=Misses&#038;color=Mellow%20Yellow&#038;size=Small" rel="nofollow">http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....size=Small</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress/page/2#post-2672 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:21:33 +0000 Antje 2672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the bracelet, esp. in the green! I do like bracelet, though I avoid very chunky ones. But you mention it lies pretty flat, so I might try that out, thanks for the tip.<br /> I ordered the yellow patent belt from Target of all places, for $9.99. We'll see if that was a wise purchase when I get it In the past, I bought a couple belts at Express, but when I went there on Friday they only had wide ones in black and grey...<br /> Hmm, I wonder if I missed the camis at Express; I should look again. I prefer the ones without built-in bras as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2670 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:07:55 +0000 Ana 2670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like kind of funky accessories, and I ordered this flower belt in yellow from J. Crew that I thought would work well with the dress:</p> <p><a href="http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod93476181&#038;catId=cat301259" rel="nofollow">http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat301259</a></p> <p>I think it's meant to be worn off center on the hip. I'll have to wait until I get it to see how it works out. I was at Express today and they have a bright pink cami and a bright green cami (not citron, but more of a crayon green) that I was going to purchase to wear underneath. They also have acqua and Express' camis usually hold up pretty well (my only complaint is that they have a bra shelf, which I'm not a fan of). If you find a true citron cami I'd be really interested. </p> <p>I don't know how you feel about bracelets, but I found these at Coldwater Creek for only $16.50. They're chunky, but they actually lay fairly flat on the wrist since they're oval shaped. I think the green or orange would look really great with the dress:</p> <p><a href="http://www.coldwatercreek.com/Products/Product.aspx?productid=39825&#038;ensembleid=45637" rel="nofollow">http://www.coldwatercreek.com/.....leid=45637</a></p> <p>Where did you order your skinny yellow belt from? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2666 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:46:51 +0000 AntjeH 2666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome, Ana, I'm so glad to hear you love the dress, too! It really seems like the regular sizes run big, since you said you bought a smaller size, and the regular 8 (which often works for me) looked too big and unflattering on me as well. The petite version was perfect, both in width and in length.<br /> We can exchange tips on how to best spiff it up I am looking for some good camis in yellow, citron, lime green and/or acqua to wear underneath...<br /> I just bought some bright yellow earrings and ordered a skinny yellow belt (already have a skinny red patent leather belt), so there should be a few bright accessories to pick from. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2618 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:41:12 +0000 Angie 2618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent Ana! I am sure that this dress looks great on you. Elie Tahari makes beautiful dresses. Love the blue too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2617 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:36:49 +0000 Ana 2617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also found some nice alternatives in other colors, if anyone is interested:</p> <p><a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=298503&#038;CategoryID=26862&#038;LinkType=EverGreen" rel="nofollow">http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen</a></p> <p><a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=295156&#038;CategoryID=26862" rel="nofollow">http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=26862</a></p> <p><a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=294843&#038;CategoryID=26862" rel="nofollow">http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=26862</a></p> <p><a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=300195&#038;CategoryID=26861" rel="nofollow">http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=26861</a></p> <p>I especially like the cobalt blue one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2614 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:29:53 +0000 Ana 2614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I went to the Loft today to look for the shirt dress. They only had a size 4 left, and no petites, but the sales girl convinced me to try the size 4 (even though I've never been a 4 in my life). It turned out to be perfect! I'm so excited (and really surprised), it looks fantastic. The only issue is the length, but I decided to have it hemmed so it hits right above the knee. I didn't want to take a chance with ordering a petite size since I've never tried Loft's petites before. I'm going to try changing the belt to a brighter color and wearing a bright cami underneath per Angie's suggestion. Thanks for posting your find Antje! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2568 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:33:55 +0000 AnaElizabeth 2568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm going to the Loft tomorrow to search for that dress. Antje, do you remember how much it cost? The link now goes to a different dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2546 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:07:37 +0000 Sarah 2546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing Antje. I'm finding that length can make all the difference in the world. Now you make me want a dress like that too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2506 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:50:53 +0000 Angie 2506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knew that you would LOVE this dress and all its combinations, Antje (smiling!)Thanks for sharing your discoveries with us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2505 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:24:03 +0000 AntjeH 2505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup, they had the petite 8 at the store. Check it out, it is a great dress, and as Angie pointed out, I expect it to be very versatile. I'm thinking bright belts and camisoles, in yellows, greens, red...<br /> I really don't know what I was on when I thought it was black. I'm not usually that color blind But all is well now. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2502 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:51:41 +0000 AnaElizabeth 2502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Did you find the P8 at the Loft store? I really liked that dress. When you said it was "too black" I wondered what you meant since it said it was blue on the site. I thought you just thought it was "too dark." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2500 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:36:26 +0000 AntjeH 2500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well well well. I have to report back on my quest for a great shirt dress. And it's a rather goofy story. Today I went to the Ann Taylor Loft to return the shirt dress that I had gotten through an online order (<a href="http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=12119&#038;N=1200012&#038;pCategoryId=199&#038;categoryId=211&#038;Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&#038;showAll=Y&#038;defaultColorNameFromCategory=Deep%20Blue&#038;defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses" rel="nofollow">http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses</a>). It was a good dress but I decided it was "too black" considering my already quite black-heavy wardrobe and the fit just not quite right and flattering.<br /> Only at the store did I notice that the dress I found "too black" is actually ink blue - a color I really like, and which looks so awesome with lime green, amongst others. Somehow that was not apparent to me, neither when ordering (although it sure says it on the website but I must have completely overlooked it), nor when trying it on. This should teach me to never ever rely on trying something on at nite in a badly lit bedroom again!! I also saw that they had it in Petite sizes, and so I decided to try it on again, just in a P8 rather than a regular 8 this time. And I LOVED it! The color is wonderful, and the petite size one was quite a bit shorter and showed more of my knees and all of my calves, and this just made a huge difference. Suddenly it was really flattering and a "must have" item :-)<br /> Just thought I'd share this, especially since we were also discussing "the right knee length" on another thread. While it varies for everyone, it's super valuable to try different lengths with dresses and skirts; for me it made the difference between slightly frumpy and kinda sexy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2293 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 03:50:17 +0000 Angie 2293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yoooohooo. You can change the belt on most shirt dresses to kick them up a notch (skinny or wide). Perhaps add your skinny red patent belt Antje? You can also layer a great cami underneath for visual interest. I do this all the time. Adding leggings is another super option. Shirt dresses are very versatile. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2279 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:24:19 +0000 Julia 2279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nicole, I've bought a top and a dress from Chadwicks recently and I was happy about my purchase. </p> <p>Their size is pretty consistent. The quality is decent. Also they have a lot of promotions so if you google "Chadwicks promotional code", you'll find a lot of them to use. I got a 50% off coupon this way and used towards my order, I paid $25 towards the following dress when it was on sale for $49.99.<br /> <a href="http://www.chadwicks.com/clothing/Giraffe-Print-Dress.aspx?PfId=122289&#038;DeptId=9701&#038;ProductTypeId=1&#038;PurchaseType=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.chadwicks.com/cloth.....haseType=0</a></p> <p>I'm leaning towards the second one I posted but not sure about wearing it by its own, it seems too boring to me. I want to wait to see if there's better one coming out of this discussion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2260 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:34:41 +0000 Nicole 2260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Antje, have you checked out SmartBargains.Com yet?</p> <p><a href="http://www.smartbargains.com/go.sb?pagename=cat&#038;sdr=true&#038;deptid=9&#038;catid=1408&#038;t=SizeFinder.dept-9.cat-1408.see-all" rel="nofollow">http://www.smartbargains.com/g.....08.see-all</a>. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2257 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:36:41 +0000 AntjeH 2257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Julia, these are cute. I actually have a black long-sleeve non-belted shirt style dress that I've worn with skinny jeans in the winter - I love that look and always feel stylish in that combo. However, now I'm looking for one that's cut more like the first one you suggested, with short sleeves, a belt, and to be worn just by itself, for spring and early summer, with flats. Something for the office, but a bit funky, not too stiff.<br /> I don't care so much for the palm tree pattern, but otherwise the style fits the bill. Although it looks awfully close in style to that Anne Klein dress I started with and that didn't look so good on me. Maybe I'm just not really the type for this trend? I don't want to accept it yet, so I'll keep looking for while. Love the helpful pointers, thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2250 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:54:43 +0000 Nicole 2250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow, I kind of like that Mandarin Collar one from Chadwicks. Anyone have any experience with that store? How do the sizes run? $40 for a dress is pretty cheap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2249 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:39:16 +0000 Julia 2249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also I like this one especially when it's worn with the skinny jeans. You can see it by clicking on the alternate images:</p> <p><a href="http://www.chadwicks.com/clothing/Mandarin-Collar-Shirtdress.aspx?PfId=122121&#038;DeptId=8218&#038;ProductTypeId=1&#038;PurchaseType=3&#038;pref=cs&#038;pos=3" rel="nofollow">http://www.chadwicks.com/cloth.....#038;pos=3</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2248 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:36:22 +0000 Julia 2248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How about this one from Chadwicks? There are reviews on their website so it might help you to decide.</p> <p><a href="http://www.chadwicks.com/clothing/Palm-Print-Shirtdress.aspx?PfId=122115&#038;DeptId=8218&#038;ProductTypeId=1&#038;PurchaseType=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.chadwicks.com/cloth.....haseType=0</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2245 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:48:22 +0000 AntjeH 2245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mail-ordered Loft shirt dress came yesterday and I tried it on; here is the report: It's a great dress, it runs true to size, and the cut is quite flattering. Love the sleeves in particularly. I'll still send it back, though, because I find it just a tad stiff and boring on me, and it's just "too black" for me considering the many other black things I own. Since I'm on a tight budget right now, I'll keep looking for something a little more colorful.<br /> But if anyone is in the market for a black shirt dress particularly, this could be a great choice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2241 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:09:01 +0000 Steph 2241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the Loft dress! You're right--it looks almost exactly like the black one I got, but, like you, I would prefer a color other than black. And since I love the black one so much, now I can have two. :)</p> <p>It wasn't available in my size either, but I just called the store and someone just returned the dress, in my size, this morning. What luck, huh? I do worry about how those small pockets will look on my larger chest, but we'll see. Thanks Antje! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2215 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:50:20 +0000 AnaElizabeth 2215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, thanks for the tip, sijyk! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2203 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:59:52 +0000 sijyk 2203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The Loft Shirt dress is really cute. </p> <p>AnaElizabeth you might be able to find you find your size if you call 1-800-DIAL-ANN. They can do a store search and mail it to you. I am not sure if they charge extra. Not sure if you have already tried that.<br /> But I was able to get a jacket like that earlier this year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2200 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:52:16 +0000 Angie 2200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The Loft shirt dress is very good. I’ve had a few people in it wearing it in very different ways. Very versatile. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2197 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:38:37 +0000 AntjeH 2197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess it went fast. They don't have it in my size now, either (I ordered it just a few days ago). It looks super online, but of course you never know until you see it on. I'll report back </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2195 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:18:12 +0000 AnaElizabeth 2195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Antje I love that shirt dress! I wish they had it in my size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finding-the-right-shirt-dress#post-2192 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:00:52 +0000 AntjeH 2192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Steph, thanks for the info and the link. I do like that dress! And I actually am waiting for a dress from the Loft that's very similiar, though with shorter sleeves:<br /> <a href="http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=12119&#038;N=1200012&#038;pCategoryId=199&#038;categoryId=211&#038;Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&#038;showAll=Y&#038;defaultColorNameFromCategory=Deep%20Blue&#038;defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses" rel="nofollow">http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses</a><br /> I'll see how that fits. My preference, though, is not to get a black one, as I own too many black pieces of clothing already. For many years, black was pretty much my only color, but in the last couple years I really started to replace most of the black with other colors. I do like black and white, or black with a pattern. I'm also hoping to find short or 3/4 sleeves.<br /> THanks for making me laugh Nicole. I personally felt more like a badly dressed office temp in the AK dress. Not anymore flattering than the Waltons look </p>