Women’s Dress Shirts: The Ultimate Buying Guide

September 16, 2023
By EllaH

Women’s dress shirts are no stranger to the wardrobe of any classy lady. We rely on the shirt to look smart and dashing and effortlessly elegant. I mean, the right shirt truly does have the power to take one’s style from “meh” to “yeah”, but the question is…

How to recognize “The Right Shirt”?
How to choose The Shirt that ends your wardrobe woes and brings you joy each time you wear it?

We are here to help. This guide covers everything you need to know about women’s dress shirts and how to find the perfect one for YOU.

Table of Contents

What exactly are women’s dress shirts?
The fit is king!
Fabric defines the shirt
The collar
The cuffs
Color and pattern
Find your perfect shirt

I What Exactly are WOMEN'S DRESS SHIRTS?

Traditionally worn by men and boys, dress shirts became an item of women’s clothing in the mid-1800s. Despite having been around for quite some years, they still regularly get mixed up with blouses.

To put an end to this confusion, here is a list of defining features of women’s dress shirts:

Fully buttoned vertical opening.
Correct length – the hem should be long enough to comfortably wear the shirt tucked or untucked.
Made of cotton weaves.
Long sleeves with cuffs at the wrist.
Proper collar.

Why is this important? Because in order to benefit from owning and wearing a dress shirt, it’s good to be able to recognize one when shopping.

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II The FIT is King

In fashion today one can get away with a lot of things, but wearing ill-fitting clothes isn’t one of them. Even an expensive dress shirt that doesn’t fit works against you and makes you look awkward.

When choosing a women’s dress shirt, always pay attention to (1) the fit of the shirt AND (2) how it fits YOUR body.

1. Fit of the shirt: Look for a fitted fit

Best women’s dress shirts are tailored as in they are designed to follow the contours of a female figure. A tailored shirt that fits well flatters your body and makes you feel confident regardless of your shape or size. You are guaranteed to always look sleek and smart.

Excess material and large folds in the shirt only amplify the figure.

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2. Make sure the fit (and size) are right for YOU

The shirt fit is right for YOU if it:

✅ Makes you look good, generally outlining your body without emphasizing every bump and curve;

✅ Makes you feel good, ensuring comfort and freedom of movement.

Beware of these 5 signs of a BAD fit (and avoid them!):

❌ You can’t give someone a hug in your shirt. Though the shirt may look like a perfect fit, if you find yourself unable to reach forward with total mobility, there’s a good chance it’s actually too tight along the width of your back. Try giving someone a hug. If your arms are restrained from doing so, it’s time to opt for a bigger size.

❌ There’s a gap in your shirt buttons. If you notice a gaping space between your buttons, this means your bust is stretching the fabric apart and you have to find a better fit.

❌ You have to constantly suck in your stomach. If your shirt is so form-fitting that you have to suck in your gut the entire time you have it on, it’s safer to consider it too tight. If you can’t comfortably breathe out and relax your body, you’ll end up looking far more tense than sexy. You’ll be better off in a looser-fitting shirt.

❌ Your shirt won’t stay tucked in. A shirt coming untucked when you’re running around is totally understandable. But how does it look while you’re seated? Does it rise and show your lower back? If your shirt is clearly too short when you sit, it’s time to exchange it for one with a longer fit.

❌ Your wrists are exposed. A shirt that awkwardly exposes your wrists is not the right choice.

III FABRIC defines the shirt

All fabrics are not created equal, especially when it comes to those used to produce women’s dress shirts. Quality, durability, and price vary widely and along with that also how the shirt is going to look and feel.

“There can be no great fashion without great fabrics,”

Nino Cerruti

In order to end up with a beautiful formal shirt, you need to choose one that is made of high quality fabric.

Go For 100% Cotton

Cotton is the most popular clothing material by far and for good reasons, too. It is breathable, strong, soft and comfortable. In fact, cotton is regarded as the standard in the clothing and garments industry. Other fabrics are usually compared to cotton and they always come up short.

Women’s dress shirts made from high quality 100% cotton are soft to the touch and extremely comfortable on the wearer. There are certain metrics that help define whether the fabric is going to meet these expectations.

Ply

One of the most important characteristics is ply or, in other words, how many yarns are twisted together to make a single thread. Fabrics are mostly single ply or two-ply. Two-ply means that two yarns are twisted together to make a single thread that is then woven into the fabric.

Two ply fabrics are generally superior to single ply fabrics.

Thread count

The higher the thread count, the silkier and smoother the fabric usually is. Even if the same cotton is used for the fabric, the thread count makes a huge difference and results in a finer, softer, smoother and more luxurious fabric.

Thread count is expressed as a number (e.g. 50s, 70s, 120s, 180s etc.) and indicates the size of the yarns in fabric. At dress shirt retailers who pride themselves on quality, the thread count will normally start at 100-120.

IV The COLLAR

The collar is the pride of a dress shirt and its most standout feature. No matter what type of outfit you will be wearing with your shirt, your collar will always be noticeable. It can either make a look or kill it entirely.

Shirt collar borders your face, so this is the first thing people see when looking at you since our natural tendency is to look at the face and move down. Also, it informs the viewer, often unconsciously, what the rest of your outfit is likely to be and how to perceive you.

If well made, the collar helps make a great first impression and signals professionalism and competence. Therefore, to get most out of your dress shirt, always pick one with a crisp and firm collar.

High quality shirt collar is kept stiff by using a different type of material know as interlining between the top and bottom pieces of a collar. This forms a sort of skeleton providing rigidity and shape. Higher quality women’s dress shirts normally use better quality interlinings that will not bubble after a few washes and will help your collar stay sharper longer.

Men’s shirts have a wide variety of collar types and picking the right one to match the occasion, the rest of the outfit and face shape is almost a science. Women do not have a comparable choice and available options fall under one of the three broad categories: point collar, cut away collar and button-down collar.

Point collar is one of the most traditional styles, likely having been around since the development of the modern dress shirt collar itself. It is cut using straight lines, which end in a point, and is distinguished by the narrow space between the points.

This collar is always stylish, attractive and a good conservative choice.

Italian collar is one of the essentials of modern women’s dress shirts design, characterized by a wider spread between the collar points.

The medium spread collar is considered versatile because it:
– works for everybody (regardless of age, face shape or body type);
– works in all scenarios;
– will never go out of style.

Button-down collar was first invented to keep the collar points in place during horse polo games. This collar is connected directly to the shirt fabric via two small buttons.

Button Down collar is a variant of the point collar and is stylistically suitable for dressing down.

The Take-Away from all this?

Don’t concentrate too much on the actual type or shape of the collar, just make sure that it is nice looking and crisp (having said that, button-down collar doesn’t even need to be crisp). While men have different style considerations to take into account when choosing their collar style, women hardly have any. Traditional men’s collar rules do not apply to women’s dress shirts – the latter could always leave the collar open and complement it with accessories.

V The CUFFS

When it comes to appearance, it is always the tiny details that attract attention. So, when you wear a shirt, the most visible details are your shirt collar and cuffs. If these communicate style and taste, you’ll instantly generate a positive first impression.

To ensure a sharp aesthetic, you should always look for crisp cuffs. High quality cuffs show exquisite tailoring and have no needless lines. They add style and allow you to express your inner fashionista, especially when you opt for French cuffs.

Typically, cuffs come in two varieties: button cuffs and French cuffs.

French Cuff Shirts

French cuffs on a dress shirt bring an element of style and class to any outfit. With their double-folded fabric and cufflinks, these cuffs are an excellent way to look elegant and stylish without adding much time to your morning routine. They also make the shirt look slightly dressier than your standard shirt.

Also known as double cuffs, the French cuffs require cufflinks to secure them. Cufflinks come in a lot of different styles and designs, from simple ones to more ornate designs that add a touch of artistry to your outfit.

Although they seem like a fancy, formal detail, French cuffs are actually quite versatile and can be worn in a number of situations. They are an ideal choice if you want to stand out in the crowd and give your appearance a touch of extra elegance and sophistication.

Button Cuff Shirts

Button cuffs are single cuffs that wrap around the wrist and are buttoned into place. They might feature a single button or be adjustable with two buttons side-by-side. These cuffs are easy to wear and always suitable.

Sometimes the button cuff may have an extra buttonhole between the buttons where a cufflink can be threaded through. This type of cuff is called a convertible cuff and it gives you the flexibility to either wear cufflinks or simply close the cuff with buttons. You can find a good choice of convertible cuff shirts for women in Ella Hopfeldt’s women’s dress shirt store.

VI Color and Pattern

Women’s dress shirts are a professional and elegant look for any wardrobe. A perfect button-up gets you through your weekdays and can serve as a great base for casual wear for weekend brunches and late-night dinners.

When it comes to color and pattern, the choice is largely up to you and your style. However, there are a few colors that tend to look best on women and are famous for their versatility and ease of use.

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The White Dress Shirt

White is the most popular dress shirt color for women’s dress shirts for a number of reasons: it is classic, easy to match, it helps you look polished and professional, and it is timeless.

No matter the color the rest of your clothes, a white shirt will always look sophisticated and sharp, which is why it has become ubiquitous in the world of womenswear. It goes with almost every other color in your wardrobe, so you can combine your white button-up with pretty much everything from suits to skirts to jeans.

Look for a fitted shirt that won’t lose shape and is simple enough to wear with a blazer or on its own. Quality and fabric are key here, so be sure to find a premium shirt and replace as soon as there are signs of wear.

The Light Blue Dress Shirt

Blue is one of the most versatile colors out there and will most probably become the hardest working dress shirt in your wardrobe. Wear it tucked-in to a skirt with a navy blazer or team with jeans for the weekend.

To keep the light blue shirt from seeming drab, opt for a textured fabric like herringbone. This will add visual interest to the blue shirt and will keep it from looking dull or ordinary.

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The Pink Dress Shirt

Pink is a wonderful alternative to white and will get you noticed for all the right reasons.

The beauty with the pink dress shirt is that it doesn’t matter if you opt for black, grey, or navy pants – pink will work with all of them. The varying shades of pink – from light pinks like blush to dark pinks like rosewood – help you find the perfect color for your skin tone.

Pink has a lot of emotional weight. It’s a warm, comforting color. It might seem superficial, but we all know that wearing something that makes you feel good also has an impact on how others perceive you, and even on how you see yourself.

The Black Dress Shirt

Black is classic, it’s timeless, and it’s your best friend when you don’t know what to wear. It can be dressed up or down and looks just as put together at work as it does at play. And because it is so easy to style, you never have to worry about building an outfit – it’s already done for you!

Black dress shirt is always sleek and suave. It’s a great way to dress up any ensemble, even if you are just wearing jeans. You can roll up the sleeves and give your outfit that always-cool “I’m not trying too hard” vibe.

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Patterned Dress Shirts

Patterned dress shirts are ideal to bring some variety into your shirt wardrobe. These shirts are comfortable, easy to match with other items, and come in a huge variety of colors and patterns (from polka dots to plaid). There’s one for every occasion, whether it’s an interview, a presentation, or a regular day at work.

Patterns like checks or stripes make your outfits more interesting while still keeping things professional. If you’ve ever been stuck in a rut with your style, you know how frustrating it can be when nothing looks exciting any more. Patterns will help you break up your look while making it clear that you have a strong sense of style and are open to new experiences.

Popular patterns for women’s dress shirts include stripes and checks but floral shirts really help you stand out in any crowd.

Find Your Perfect Shirt

If you are looking for a shirt that ticks all of the boxes mentioned above, take a look at Ella Hopfeldt selection of women’s dress shirts. Our shirts don’t just fit well. They also feel amazing, as they’re made from luxurious European fabrics and look impeccable.

In order to find a shirt that is perfect for you, take our short fit test and go with just a few clicks to your personal choice of shirts.

For an ultimate guide to buying men’s dress shirts, see the Real Men Real Style blog.

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Women’s Dress Shirts: The Ultimate Buying Guide

I What Exactly are WOMEN'S DRESS SHIRTS?

II The FIT is King

1. Fit of the shirt: Look for a fitted fit

2. Make sure the fit (and size) are right for YOU

III FABRIC defines the shirt

Go For 100% Cotton

Ply

Thread count

IV The COLLAR

The Take-Away from all this?

V The CUFFS

French Cuff Shirts

Button Cuff Shirts

VI Color and Pattern

The White Dress Shirt

The Light Blue Dress Shirt

The Pink Dress Shirt

The Black Dress Shirt

Patterned Dress Shirts

Find Your Perfect Shirt

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