Shirtdress and body type question

Lee Hovey

Can an hourglassy pear wear a shirt dress well? I am attracted to the style for some reason. I have tried on 2 that I found in my price range and neither fit just right (usually the attached belt/waist seem is too low). I also prefer a v-neck, or a button down stayle I can leave umbottoned. What do you think?

16 years ago

Body Type

12 replies

Latest reply was from Lee Hovey

Kari

Veteran

I've seen hourglasses wear shirtdresses well, but I had a devil of a time finding one that worked - either the cut was too straight, the woven material had no stretch/give, the buttons gaped, the waist was too low... If it's just the belt that's too low, you can always detach the belt loops & position them higher, but if the allover cut is off there isn't much you can do.

A great shirtdress was on my wish list for a couple of seasons, and in late winter a year ago I FINALLY found a black faux-wrap shirtdress from Ann Taylor Loft. http://inkariswardrobe.blogspo.....roove.html
It wasn't a traditional shirtdress since it doesn't actually button and has an A-line skirt, but it was the closest I could get. I actually bought it in petite sizing because the waist on the regular size was too low for me. So not a true shirtdress, but it was the best fuss-free alternative for me, and I get a lot of wear out of it in fall and winter. (They also had a navy blue shirtdress with elbow-length sleeves that I wish I'd bought, too - but the skirt was too long and I didn't want to bother with alterations. More fool me.)

Haven't tried it on, but this is the current season's version of the dress I bought. Too bad it doesn't come in more colors! http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses

16 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Kendra, I can totally see you in a shirt dress. What style are you thinking of? I'm thinking an A-line might be better than a straight one. The one in Kari's last link, for instance!

16 years ago

Lee Hovey

Active Member

Thanks for providing the awesome experience Kari! Thats exactly what I needed to hear. I LOVE that dress on you, super flattering.

And yes Antje that one that Kari gave the link for looks great, it's a little above my price range but I will go try it on (try and provide pics) and then hope I can coordinate my allowance with it going on sale.

Thanks as always gals!

16 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Kendra, I';m looking for a shirtdress too and I'm also an hourglass, so I'll be interested to follow your search. Inge and I both have our eye on this one:
http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-3.....t-hot.aspx

There are a few others on that site, like these:
http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-15-nantucket.aspx
http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-49-jackie-o.aspx
http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-48-buttoned-up.aspx

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Kendra, you're welcome, and I wouldn't pay full price for that dress at ATL either - I always sign up for notifications for coupons/discounts and keep an eye on price reductions on line. Betcha anything that dress will be on sale soon.

Here are some others that you might try on just to compare fit/style. The Ann Taylor dress is almost certainly out of your price range (it's WAY above mine) but again, it's likely to go on sale. The Express dress is an online exclusive, but they have so many promos and coupons if you sign up or make semi-recent purchases with them.

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses
http://www.express.com/catalog.....goryId=243

16 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Hi Kendra, I don't have much sound advice to add, but I just wanted to say it's great to 'see' you here again;-) I agree that an A-line shape might be the way to go.

Brianna: yezzz I love the red dress, but like you pointed out in another thread, I'm not sure it would be the most versatile colour (i.e. very noticeable, so people might go 'is she wearing that dress a-again today!!';-) Also, if it's a tomato red, it wouldn't be the most flattering colour for me. But it's such a nice change from all the black shirtdresses...

Kari: you look amazing in your dress! And I love the polka dots on the Express dress;-)

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Kendra, let us know what you find, with pics! I would love a shirtdress for this summer too, and I'm not above stealing someone else's idea.

I love that red dress, Brianna! I don't think wrap dresses look that great on me, or I would snap that up in a second. I much prefer a noticeable tomato red to yet another black...I already have 2 black dresses, out of the 3 total I own. Enough!

16 years ago

ChristineB

Active Member

I'm the same body type as you & a shirt dress is fairly high on my list. However, I plan on sewing one myself. I saw one that had a slightly pleated skirt at Walmart, and it was exactly what I was looking for, but they didn't have my size or I probably would have got it (it was cheaper than making it).

I think you could look great in a shirt dress, as long as it's not too straight - at least an a-line or fuller skirt. Good luck in your search!

16 years ago

Asha

Active Member

I think you will totally rock a shirtdress! I think it's worth the search it takes to find one too, because it is such a versatile item - even in tomato red.
ChristineB, you are amazing. I don't remember if I was able to comment on the other thread( I often look, intend to comment, and then get pulled away from the computer), but I was so impressed that you made that ruffle blouse. And the outfit looked great too!

16 years ago

Lee Hovey

Active Member

Wow, Brianna and Kari you guys have given me awesome items to try! I had never been to that site, Brianna, so thanks for providing another source!

Inge: yeah, I have fallen back to lurking alot recently. My personal life has been a disaster, and I am still in the cast, which has induced quite the style rut! But I have missed you all, so I am back!

Kristen, I wish I had the problem of too many black dresses! I own exactly 2 non-formal dress! One if the community H&M wrap dress, and one I bought recently at F21 in bright pink. I can't wait to wear it. I think I am actually drawn to the idea of a black shirt dress, in hopes that it could be a LBD for me.

16 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I'm also looking for a shirt dress! I like the classic style of this one, but the color is not good for me (washes me out):
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

I was inspired by this post (even though most of these dresses are waaaay too expensive!)
http://www.wardrobe911.com/200.....irt-dress/

16 years ago

Lee Hovey

Active Member

Wow, I like all of those! We should inspire you like that more often!!

Here's a couple cheap ones in some cool colors,
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_1.....me=Dresses

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_1.....me=Dresses

16 years ago

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