Amy's Style Suite: THE SHIRT DRESS

For those of you who are unsure, the shirt-dress is basically a shirt that is long enough to wear as a dress. They became incredibly fashionable in the 1950's when Christian Dior launched his post World War II line. However, recently they have become more of a wardrobe staple and this is why...

The shirt-dress can be worn in more ways than one. Try opening it up and wearing it as a long cardigan; Alter the look by cinching in the waist with a belt to give yourself that perfect hourglass shape; Or wear it loose for a sexy “boyfriend” feel. You can even get a little sassy and unbutton the top for an effortless look that screams "I just got out of bed looking this cool".

Another benefit is that the shirt-dress is trans-seasonal. In summer, roll up the sleeves and pair it with your sandals or as mentioned, wear it as a light cardigan when the evening breeze sets in. In winter, team it with some tights, boots and layer with an overcoat. Wear it to work with some pumps or on Sunday with your sneakers. Yep, sneakers too! In fact, whichever shoes you have, be it flats, brogues, boots, pumps, wedges or sandals, just about any shoe will go with it. The shirt dress is so versatile and timeless that it gives the LBD a run for its money.

If you're not yet convinced, consider the fact that the shirt dress suits all body shapes and they are available in an array of colours; one is certain to suit your skin tone. I bought this denim one years ago and I still wear it. It's so comfy, I can even play "keep the balloon up" with my 2 year old.

If you want to build the perfect capsule wardrobe, the shirt dress is a damn good piece to add to your “essential items” list. From Target right through to high end designers, there's one available to suit every budget.