In every season, I reach for a dress. (OK, maybe not in late winter.) But whenever I can, I prefer the one-and-done outfit. One silhouette I’ve never quite been able to nail, however, is the shirt dress. The traditional style, uber-tailored and looking like something straight from Kate Middleton’s closet, has never fallen well on my frame. Then, earlier this year, while dreaming of warm weather while the weather forecast lingered in the teens, I happened upon some pre-spring shirt dresses by a handful of French brands I love. One sighting led to the next, and then I couldn’t help but spot them every time I went online shopping. It was a mild revelation. The French shirt dress was something I could actually work with. It had the smart look with its row of buttons running down the center, and it had the requisite collar. But, importantly, it was also relaxed. The French shirt dress can have fun. It’s a little undone. And it’s still effortlessly cool. Below, I’ve rounded up six options that’ll have you running to book your ticket to the French Riviera.
The French Take on the Shirt Dress Is Your Key to a Polished Summer
Elegantly undone
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1. Sézane Sorelle Dress
Sézane
I’m a Sézane girl through and through—my sweater drawer is 90 percent Sézane. But I also love the occasional dress or floaty skirt. The Sorelle dress immediately slowed my scroll with its eye-catching sash. It smartly serves to cinch the waist and can be styled by tying it either in the front or back, creating two very different looks. Small, thoughtful details include mother-of-pearl buttons, waist pleats and a 100 percent cotton composition.
2. Maje Flared Shirt Dress
Maje
Maje is a flagship Parisian brand with boutiques scattered throughout the city. Rarely did a day go by where I didn't pass one while living there. The brand’s take on the shirt dress is a flirty, cropped cut reminiscent of the 1950s French Riviera. Gold-tone buttons, a flared skirt a structured collar give the classic silhouette a fresh, contemporary feel.
3. Ba&sh Diala Dress
Ba&sh
Ba&sh is another Parisian institution upending the humble shirt dress with an iteration that leans cargo. Instead of lazing by the beach, the Diala dress was made for adventure—think safari, cruise or even glamping. The functional patch pockets are embellished with flaps and metal buttons; you can cinch the waist with the self-tying belt or opt for a looser cut. This dress also caught my eye because it deviates from standard colors, available in powdery hues of pink and yellow.
4. Chouyatou Cotton Maxi Shirt Dress
Chouyatou
While not a French brand per se, this under-$35 Amazon find ticks all the boxes: relaxed silhouette, pinstripes and pockets. It’s 100 percent cotton and available in nine colors. To style, wear it loose or pair with a belt of your choosing to give it shape.
5. Balzac Lior Dress
Balzac
On my last trip to Paris, I was strolling through Le Marais when my friend and I happened upon Balzac. The name rang a bell because a few nights prior, a woman stopped to ask me about my Sézane Clyde trench, then promptly told me that Balzac was the real Parisian brand. So into the boutique I went, and came out with an ostentatious white feathered skirt and button-down with a Victorian collar that could have sent me straight back to the Gilded Age. And I loved it. The Lior dress has a similar collar to the signature shirt that I bought, with an optional self-tying ribbon. Roll up the sleeves, add a basket bag and you’ll be well on your way to Saint Tropez.
6. Rouje Raella Dress
Rouge
French model Jeanne Damas is the creative force behind the Parisian label Rouje, established in 2016. Her take on the shirt dress is more form-fitting with a relaxed lapel rather than a stiff collar. The cotton seersucker creates a fun texture while remaining breathable, and there are functional patch pockets. Mother-of-pearl buttons add the last shimmering finishing touch.
