Shirt Dresses: Retro to Metro

This spring, the fashion world is once again in love with 1950s fashion. In the stores and online, I’m seeing 50s-style floral prints dresses, full skirts, gingham shirts, and more. It’s pre-Beatlemania styling! Personally, I’m getting a huge kick out of the return of the 1950s shirtwaist dress. The dresses have the classic styling—the collar, the button front, the belt or tie—you’d expect, but they've been updated with this season's favorite prints and colors. Take, for instance, the Jones New York Cotton Shirt Dress ($129). It's a great choice for women over 50 because it's easy, comfortable and flatters the over 50 figure, which benefits from a little structure. Some of this season's shirt dresses have straight skirts, others are quite full. You'll have to try a few to determine the best one for your body shape. Throw a blazer over the dress and you're ready for work or running around the city. If you're reading this post before Friday, March 16, 2012, you might want to check out the dress sales at Jones New York (50% off) and Anne Klein (30% off). Below is a sample of this spring's styles…


Here's another shirt dress with a rocking print...



Printed silk shirt dress (was $204, now $163.20)



When I look at this Jones New York Belted Shirt Dress ($139), I can almost smell spring's new grass.







Jones New York Cap Sleeve Shirt Dress




Accessories--a pretty necklace or scarf...or an animal print belt...or even leggings--will make your shirt dress pop. I know lots of over 50 women are trying to limit the amount of black they wear. But I love the way this Anne Klein Stretch Micro Weave Shirt Dress ($119) is paired with a thin animal print belt.





Not crazy about a collar? Check out the collar-less Silk linen shirt dress (was $204.00, now $163.20) below. For cooler spring days, try wearing a shirt dress over jean leggings or skinny slacks.







And, of course, you may want to try a short-sleeved shirt dress...




Linen shirt dress (was 138.00, now $110.40)



Lastly, take a peek at this a very feminine shirt dress with a ruffled collar. If you feel comfortable in sleeveless, this dress might be the perfect spring dress.



Jones New York Sleeveless Ruffle Dress  ($139)