Every summer, like clockwork, you can expect to see your favorite fashion muse in an assortment of flowing dresses, elegant linen trousers and holiday swimsuits. However, from time to time, unexpected style creeps into the hot set of stars. Last year’s sartorial hit was a laid-back T-shirt dress that got an effortless, luxurious makeover from Sofia Richie Grainge and Lori Harvey. This season, the seemingly straightforward T-shirt dress has been dethroned by its effortlessly chic older sister: the collared shirt dress. And thanks to A-listers like Zendaya and Anne Hathaway, this timeless piece is quickly proving to be one of the most versatile pieces of summer.
As soon as the calendar rolled over to April, it seemed like every star with a penchant for elevated basics added a chic shirt dress to their everyday wardrobe. It’s no surprise that white button-down versions dominate Hollywood, but they’re not your typical midi-length linen silhouette. While filming the episode The Drew Barrymore show in May, Gigi Hadid paired an ivory high-waist shirt dress from Guest in Residence with low-rise jeans. Later in May, Anne Hathaway wore her custom Gap shirt dress over a peek-a-boo bodice. In turn, shirt dresses in classic pastel colors are also a hit this season. Gwyneth Paltrow and Daisy Ridley dazzled in blue styles, and Selena Gomez looked pretty in pink in a satin Versace button-up dress.
Feeling inspired already? If so, scroll on and find all the celebrity style inspiration you need to add to your shirt dress (or two) wardrobe this summer and beyond.
Anne Hathaway
During the Bulgari show in Rome, Hathaway made headlines with a custom Gap design created for her by Gap Inc.’s fresh original director, Zac Posen. The devil wears Prada Alum’s floor-length gown featured an open bodice that showed through her translucent bodice and a sensual thigh-high slit. The brand ambassador gave her white button-up number a dazzling finish with plenty of Bulgari sparkles, including a striking diamond necklace with a huge sapphire at the center, matching stud earrings and stacked sparkling bracelets. A metallic Bulgari top-handle bag and pointy white Christian Louboutin pumps completed her latest front-row-worthy look.
Gwyneth Paltrow
In the April edition of her signature monthly Instagram photo drops, Paltrow blessed her 8.5 million followers with a close-up of her latest shirt dress – pastel blue style from SA SU PHI, Italian atelier. Like most of her OOTD posts, she posed without shoes and instead opted for straightforward yet elegant jewelry like layered necklaces and a slim bracelet to add some sparkle to her final fit.
Zendaya
It’s been over a month since Zendaya’s groundbreaking press tour Challengers has come to an end and we’re still not done with her top-notch designer outfits — especially the ones that went unnoticed. Think of the navy blue Louis Vuitton shirt dress she wore to a private show in Los Angeles. The long-sleeved midi dress stayed true to the film’s tennis aesthetic without holding back Zendaya’s penchant for sophisticated designs. The best part? Her exact dress is still available in the store – for now, that is.
Gigi Hadid
Like most high-profile entrepreneurs, Hadid is no stranger to off-the-shelf styles from her Up-to-date York knitwear brand, Guest in Residence. Her most notable outing while dressed as a guest at the mansion was just a few weeks ago while she was on her way to The Drew Barrymore show. The multi-hyphenate model opted for her brand’s white button-up dress, which she left partially unbuttoned to reveal ’90s-style low-rise jeans from RE/DONE. When it comes to accessories, Hadid stayed true to form by carrying the star-approved Miu Miu Arcadie bag, as well as classic Miu Miu slingback heels and Jacquie Aiche diamond necklace valued at $16,225.
Selena Gomez
In honor of the launch party for the fresh Scarce Beauty Supple Pinch Radiant Powder Blush collection, Gomez styled a head-to-toe blush pink Versace ensemble, accessorized with a silk mini shirt dress. Her collared mini was decorated with a subtle floral print and tied with a Versace Medusa Head belt at the waist. The monochromatic moment continued with her feminine touches, starting with a matching Stanza coat and white gold jewelry from APM Monaco.
Lily Gladstone
Gladstone was one of the esteemed jury members at this year’s 2024 Cannes Film Festival, so of course the Oscar winner went all out with her first outfit for the annual fest. They started mighty with a white midi shirt dress paired with a slender burgundy monogrammed belt, both from Gucci. For her shoes, Gladstone chose a pair of sky-high platform loafers, also courtesy of Gucci – one of the key motifs seen on the atelier’s Fall/Winter 2024 runway in March.
Dakota Fanning
In March, while promoting his fresh series on Netflix RipleyFanning treated herself to the first of three high-end designer looks in one day, wearing an ivory satin shirt dress by Simkhai. She was caught by paparazzi outside Good morning America in the aforementioned little white dress, which she paired with metallic gold high-heeled sandals from Manolo Blahnik.
Chrissy Teigen
Just a few days before news of her latest Illustrated sports swimwear cover published online, Teigen posed at a pop-up in Los Angeles in a very summery ensemble – a pinstripe, button-down mini by Atoir. The model wore brilliant green high-heeled sandals and a crocheted raffia hobo bag, both from Bottega Veneta. To add even more drama, Teigen wore orange Gucci sunglasses, which gave her satin mini an unexpected ’70s-inspired style.
Daisy Ridley
While she looked ready for a weekend in the Hamptons, Ridley was actually dressed to impress at her latest promotional event Youthful woman and the sea press trip. During a low photo session Star Wars: The Force Awakens the actress showed off a striped wrap dress with a gorgeous pleated skirt and cute buttoned cuffs. She relied on the beachy aura of the dress, adding accessories in the form of chunky platform sandals and little or no jewelry – simply $18,500 gold clip earrings by Belperron.
Shay Mitchell
If Mitchell’s stealth style isn’t on your radar yet, what do you do? Check out her applause-worthy outfit by admiring her tight white shirt dress, which was more reminiscent of oversized menswear button-downs a la Carrie Bradshaw. The BÉIS founder took a page from Richie Grainge’s laid-back luxury playbook with her footwear at the time: black satin kitten heels by Gia Borghini.
