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    Stylish Women Swear By This Dress Trend To Effortlessly Approach Transitional Dressing

    It’s a staple for a reason

    Jazzria Harris's avatar
    By Jazzria Harris
    Published 8 September 2025 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Best shirt dresses
    (Image credit: @neelam.ahooja, Getty Images, @nlmarilyn)
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    As a self-proclaimed lazy dresser, I must admit, I always lament the thought of packing away my summer dresses for another year. Yes, it may be raining outside as I write this; however, during the summer months, I always become somewhat attached to the ease with which a great dress makes the process of deciding what to wear feel that much more effortless — just add sandals or ballet flats, and that’s it, instant chicness.

    Of course, when the weather finally turns colder, knitted dresses offer the same fuss-free approach with the added bonus of keeping you cosy on chilly days. Yet, during this tricky transitional period, when we’re faced with wind and rain one minute and sunshine the next, what’s the answer? Well, it turns out there really is a dress style for every occasion and for the summer-autumn switchover, you need a shirt dress.

    Shirt dresses AW25 Catwalks, Victoria Beckham, Fendi, Miu Miu

    Victoria Beckham AW25 — Fendi AW25 — Miu Miu AW25

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Spotted on the Autumn Winter 2025 catwalks, the shirt dress is a wardrobe staple that’s rarely far from fashion consciousness. At Miu Miu, satin shirt dresses were paired with knee-length socks and court heels, while Victoria Beckham proved her fashion prowess, styling mini-length dresses with knee-length hold-ups and chunky loafers.

    Alternatively, at Fendi, it was pleated dresses paired with knee-high boots. A combination which proves, through the addition of autumnal accessories, that a lightweight shirt dress is the perfect choice for fuss-free, transitional dressing.

    Best shirt dresses @charlotteemilysanders

    (Image credit: @charlotteemilysanders)

    While the catwalks were my first port of call for shirt dress styling inspiration, it turns out many of the stylish women I follow on social media already rely upon the shirt dress for easy-wearing transitional looks. Just look to Charlotte Sanders (above), who styled The Frankie Shop’s maxi dress with sleek black accessories earlier this year, or, Marilyn Nwawulor Kazemaks’ striped dress and ballet flats, which feels considered no matter the season.

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    No wonder shopping platform LTK has seen a 2000% increase in searches for shirt dresses in recent weeks. With plenty of inspiration to hand and the weather on the turn, it's clear the shirt dress is the answer for no-fuss, effortlessly chic transitional dressing. In light of this news, keep scrolling to see my favourite styles to shop now…

    Shop the best shirt dresses

    The Frankie Shop Helena cotton shirt dress

    The Frankie Shop
    Helena Cotton Shirt Dress
    £190
    £190 AT MYTHERESA

    Made from lightweight cotton, The Frankie Shop's shirt dress allows for plenty of coverage without fear of overheating.

    COS Wrap Midi Skirt Dress

    COS
    Wrap Midi Shirt Dress
    £119
    £119 AT COS

    COS' striped dress may be styled with sandals and a beach bag above, but it'll also look great worn with boots and a leather tote for the office, too.

    Khaite Effy silk and cotton-blend organza midi shirt dress

    Khaite
    Effy Midi Shirt Dress
    £1430
    £1430 AT NET-A-PORTER

    A great way to approach transitional dressing is to opt for lightweight fabrics in darker colour ways, like this silk Khaite dress.

    The Row Chihiro striped cotton-poplin midi shirt dress

    The Row
    Chihiro Striped Midi Shirt Dress
    £1620
    £1620 AT NET-A-PORTER

    Don't say goodbye to summer shades just yet.

    H&M Denim Shirt Dress

    H&M
    Denim Shirt Dress
    £65
    £64.99 AT H&M

    For a little more structure, try a denim style.

    & Other Stories Wrap Shirt Mini Dress

    & Other Stories
    Wrap Shirt Mini Dress
    £97
    £97 AT & OTHER STORIES

    A twist on corporate core — quite literally.

    Rixo Maddison Shirt Dress

    Rixo
    Maddison Shirt Dress
    £275
    £275 AT RIXO

    Leopard print is proving even more popular for autumn winter.

    Reformation Tara Linen Dress

    Reformation
    Tara Linen Dress
    £298
    £298 AT REFORMATION

    When the weather gets colder, layer a contrasting roll neck underneath.

    Stouls Becky suede midi shirt dress

    Stouls
    Becky Suede Midi Shirt Dress
    £2211
    £2211 AT NET-A-PORTER

    This suede shirt dress is the moment.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Jazzria Harris
    Jazzria Harris
    Freelance Fashion & Beauty Writer

    Jazzria Harris is a freelance fashion and beauty journalist with over 8 years experience working in the industry. At just 4ft 11, she’s an expert in petite dressing and previously wrote the column Jazz’s Short Stories giving tips and advice on dressing for petite proportions. Her wardrobe staples are a great black blazer, a hardworking slip skirt and of course a great pair of heels (for the extra inches, of course). Jazz has written for publications including ELLE UK, heat magazine, Eliza, Women & Home and more.

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