It's the perfect dress to take you into Autumn.

And the Winter for that matter - although hell, I'm not even mentioning the W word, seeing as today I'm venturing out without a jacket on and would even contemplate doing the old legs if I'd had a spare ten minutes this morning.  Had I been bothered to do that, then definitely I would have worn one of my new favourite finds - the shirt dress. 

I did come across my first one of these last year when I nabbed one in the sale from Whistles.  This has been worn out at night with heels and during the day numerous times with sandals and skater shoes.  And it got an outing last week with ankle boots (as an aside, ankle boots are fabulous if you are pushed for time when doing a fake tan and can't be bothered to spend as long as you should, perfecting the ankles and feet - with boots you can just slap it on and go.  Don't tell anyone I told you and don't take a close look at my ankles or feet if you run into me) 

I then have totally fallen in love with the Baukjen one which is new this season.  Both are brilliant as they go in the washing machine (god how I love things that do that) and secondly they don't crease.  There is nothing more annoying than finding a gorgeous dress that, after you've sat down for 5 minutes and got up, looks like you've slept in it.  A creased crotch is on no-one's list of must have additions to an outfit. 

However there are some new contenders for the Shirt Dress Crown (by the way - may I please apologise now in case I've rushed and shirt dress is missing an R - same thing frequently happens with shift dresses and the F.  I have proof read as best I can), those that look like a shirt dress but are mere pretenders.  They pass the utility test though as you can see. 

Starting though with a classic belted version from Mango.  I personally tend to avoid these, as I've said on numerous occasions - as one with a thick waist, anything that is firmly belted does me no favours at all.  I may as well have a sign that says "look no waist" on.

Belted-waist shirt dress from Mango - online exclusive  £34.99

Also love it in the Royal Blue £34.99



Now my Whistles one is actually a fake shirt dress which can be useful as you get the advantage of being able to have the top buttons as undone as you like (oo err missus) without the potential gaping around the nether regions (which I believe could occur - can I please point out this has never happened to me..) 

However a false dress which gives the illusion of a shirt is probably the best of both worlds - this one with a semi waist is great for giving shape without being clingy - all hail the Pretender.

Printed Dress from Mango £34.99



And very pretty in a teal colour 



However my pick of the bunch would be this shirt tencel dress £44.99



Absolutely love this as well in the Royal Blue 



Or the khaki 



And here I am in (apologies) a rather blurred photo of the black one.  If you don't know what tencel is, then the best description I can give is of a heavy washed silk.  That washes like a dream.  It feels totally luxurious for a fraction of the cost of real silk. 

This is in a size 12 but I wouldn't want it any smaller (primarily as it would a) be shorter and that's not a problem I need to have and b) the waist would be tighter.  In this size, I think the waist is ideal - gives you a hint of shape without clinging to your muffin for dear life.)
 



Felsted Dress - Baukjen
Washed suede jacket - All Saints
Taupe Jalouse boots - Ash
Black clutch bag - Tory Birch

And on Friday.



Petal Print shirt dress (actually it's not animal print but I always think it is - duh) - Whistles
Stud Ohio boots - Pied a Terre
Tan bag - Prada 

I have to say top of my list would definitely be the Ghost back to front shirt dress.  Eminently wearable and rather unique.  I did start this blog by thinking - I'm very happy with my two and I don't need another one.  Yeah right.  Darn it.  Darn darn darn it.  *adds to wishlist*.