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.)
 

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And I will have more of my Mango picks to report v shortly. 

Another semi shirt dress as I would call it, is this one from Mint Velvet.  Very different style.  Perfect colour palette to take you into A/W.  This is the sort of dress actually, that you could wear during the day with ankle boots and a biker jacket and out in the evening with heels (I'd keep the same jacket!)  Totally wearable from day to night as often as you want as it's handwash.  (I am assuming that most people are as lackaidasical as I am when to comes to venturing to the dry cleaners.....) 



I did also spy a gorgeous shade of blue in a more traditional style shirt dress at Wishbone. 



As you may or may not know I am rather partial to a bit of animal print and it so happens the two dresses I have are both leopard tastic.  Whereas this one from Hobbs is a much more subtle version.  In grey.  The styling here is very Winter but I think it would equally as great with bare legs and flats or ankle boots with a button or two undone.  Belted for those who like a waist. 







And finishing with my slightly backward number - yup, a back to front shirt dress, with the buttons all the way down the back as opposed to the front.  I saw this in John Lewis from Ghost and think that this would be the most fabulously versatile dress.  I love this shape - I know it's not for everyone but it's the ultimate "hide a multitude of sins" dress for me - elegance in its simplicity.  Team with a court shoe for a more toned down formal look, during the day, throw on tennis shoes, skater shoes or loafers and for a night out, ankle boots would be perfect. 

Ghost Boh Dress in Ink £95  and it's machine washable.  It feels like an excellent quality silk crepe - absolutely ideal for pretty much every occasion I can think of (bar watching rugby.  This I have not mentioned as of yet - prepare for the floodgates of moaning to open very soon......)




And here I am in my shirt dresses from last week. 

Out for birthday drinks for some friends. 

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

And on Friday.

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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*. 

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CONVERSATION

18 comentarios:

  1. The Ghost one is divine. You should buy it immediately! Pretend it's your Christmas dress if you're searching for justification :)

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    1. Call yourself a friend, you dirty dog enabler you.....!

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    2. But Christmas dress you say... maybe I should just try it on...... in the interests of research and all that.....

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  2. I love the look of these, I'm not sure I could carry one off though :(. I'll have to try a few different ones & see but I love the animal print - as per! Your hair looks great btw with the natural beachy waves! X

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    1. I honestly thought the same before I got the Whistles one last year. Way out of my comfort zone but now I am a total convert. And thank you re the hair - slightly experimental but we're getting there!

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  3. My knees are not pleasant.....so would definitely need to wear leggings now or maybe wait 2weeks and back into the ole opaques, the the ghost one would be devine

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    1. Now you see my knees really aren't the best either but with a bit of fake tan, I think anything can look ok. However yes, I do feel a lot more comfortable in opaques! But don't say a couple of weeks.. nooooooooooooooooo!!

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  4. Love the Ghost one but thinking it would be too short on me, the Hobbs one too.

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    1. I will show and tell how long the Ghost one is (no haven't bought it but should probably try it on so I can hoof it off my wish list when I look like a sack of spuds in it) But the Hobbs one looks easily long enough so long as you want it a couple of inches above the knee. To be honest, I think it would look better slightly shorter rather than skimming the knee as it is in the pic, with hindsight.

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  5. I love the blue Mango one ! Great outfits Kat. I have a bit of a silly question but do you wear socks with your ankle boots ? or those trainer socks would tehy be better as i wouldnt want a sock poking over the top iyswim !
    Emma

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    1. AHA! Now with my boots I have been wearing footsies - and the best footsies in the world are from Primark. I need to do a trip specially to get some. I have had from John Lewis, Marks & H&M but the Primark ones wipe the floor with the others. I have sunk to a new level of dull....... x

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    2. Thanks for the tip Kat !, No, I wondered how you did the boot thing without the sock poking over the top ! I love this look & how you wear your dresses with boots x

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  6. Ooh love your picks! I featured a Fossil shirtdress on the blog today that's very you. (It's silk, but it is handwash!!) I'd love it if you took a look, you're one of my blogging inspirations :-)

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    1. I will definitely go and have a look (what a lovely thing to say thank you xxx) Handwash silk sounds ace - I'm just ordering a new washing machine and a handwash silk option is a MUST! I didn't know Fossil did clothes to be honest - I will scoot over and have a look xx

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  7. Ooh love the Mango printed ones! I have a fab one from Next that I bagged in the sale last year! I may have to give it a go tomorrow! I'll be sending the Hubby up into the attic in a mo for my Aldo ankle boots! Ax

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    1. I never think of looking in Next - well I do but then I find it so ovrewhelming with so much choice and not enough clearly laid out if you see what I mean?! Love a dress with ankle boots - my new favourite look. Try it definitely xx

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