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Shirt dresses are an 'it' summer style that can go anywhere — shop picks starting at $20

Fashion trends come and go, but one style that stands the test of time? The shirt dress. You can wear the buttoned-up style almost anywhere, any month of the year, but especially during summer. Wear one for errands around town, to the office for an important meeting, out to dinner with your significant other, to a graduation party or for a leisurely brunch with friends. Just swap your shoes and you're golden: Dress it down with flip-flops and sneakers, or go more polished with dressy sandals or heels.

This summer, the shirt dress is more than versatile, though — it may just be the "it" style of the season. Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Ripa and more celebs have been spotted in shirt dresses over the last several weeks, and it's easy to see why: These classics are easy and breezy, and make you look put together with little effort. Need a little help finding your go-to shirt dress? Take a look at some of our favorites below, starting at just $20.

This cotton shirt dress doesn't have a lot of structure, and that's exactly why we like it. It will feel like you're wearing your jammies, but it will look like you put a whole lot more effort into your outfit. It has a pleat in the back that gives it a little extra volume, plus hidden pockets. Choose from regular, tall and petite lengths in three colors.

One shopper called it "oversized but not unflattering." Another exclaimed: "It was a perfect fit! Perfect fabric! Perfect style! Perfect length!"

$20 at Old Navy

The Tobie is one of Anthropologie's bestsellers, and it's available in maxi and mini length. As a maxi, it comes in 12 colors, plus regular, petite and tall sizes. The dress has an extra-flattering silhouette — a cinched-in waist, oversized sleeves and a full A-line skirt — that will enhance your natural curves.

"I have this dress in the black striped and black solid versions and want it in the blue gingham! Truthfully I want in every color," said one of nearly 1,200 reviewers. "It is the easiest dress to wear and I always get compliments. It cinches in the waist and is stretchy, so I went with an XS rather than my normal size S."

$198 at Anthropologie

This crisp cotton style is one of those "throw-on-and-go" dresses. Slip it on and you're ready to head out the door, no matter the destination. The flowy dress comes in regular, tall and petite, as well as two colors (blue striped and beige striped).

"I purchased the beige version of this shirt dress and was so pleased with it that I bought the blue striped version too," said a five-star reviewer. "I love the crisp fabric and simple lines of this dress. It will be perfect for hot summer weather!"

$35 at Old Navy

This shirt dress is business on the top, party on the bottom. At the top, you have a utility-style short-sleeved shirt with a snappy collar. There's elastic at the waist to comfortably cinch you in. And on the bottom, there's a full A-line skirt that flows when you walk or dance. The dress comes in regular, petite and tall sizes. Choose from khaki, black and sage green.

"This dress has the shape of my dreams! Wide angled sleeves that keep their shape, snatched waist, maxi length A-line skirt that goes to just above my ankles and with pockets (not just on chest but in the skirt!)," said a shopper. "Overall, this is a dress with a shape/style and price point that is perfect/rare to find, so I had to snap it up! In love with it!"

$40 at Abercrombie and Fitch

This shirt dress has a smocked waist with a drawstring that can be tightened, a flouncy mini skirt, pockets and buttons galore. It looks flirty and feminine in two classic shades: white and navy blue.

"Delicate and feminine and not too revealing, perfect for something light to throw on during summer," said one reviewer. "Dress down with sneakers or dress up with heels, just be aware it might be slightly too short for a workplace environment depending on your height!"

$110 at J.Crew

This textured gauze shirt dress is light, breezy and a great option if you're looking for something to wear from the beach to dinner. It comes in white, pink, green and brown in regular and petite lengths. Keep it free and flowy or throw on a belt for a little definition at the waist.

"This is my summer go-to dress!" said one stylish shopper. "Perfect for dining out, church, any social gathering! Material is buttery soft, and throw on a pair of sandals, and you are good to go!"

$39 at Loft

If you're feeling a little insecure about your midsection, this forgiving shirt dress may be a good pick. It has a tie at the waist that you can tighten or loosen, depending on how much you want to cinch your middle. It also comes in white, but there are more sizes available in navy.

$37 at Nordstrom Rack

Here's another flirty mini, ideal for the hottest summer days. The cap sleeves are cuffed and held up with a button tab, there's pleating at the waist (similar to the more expensive Anthropologie option), and pockets on the sides of the flattering A-line skirt. It comes in four colors: navy, pink, blue and tan.

"I love this dress. It's stylish and beautifully tailored to accentuate the waist, creating a flattering hourglass silhouette," said a Nordstrom Rack reviewer.

$50 at Nordstrom Rack

This shirt dress has an extra-flirty, fun detail: ruffles! They're paired with gathered shoulders, a matching fabric belt and a flared skirt. If you're someone who wants your shirt dress to have a little more structure, this is a good candidate. It also comes in a blue and white floral print.

"So cute on, professional and a bit youthful (but not too much), complementary and conservative," a reviewer gushed.

$49 at Macy's

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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