Pattern: Vogue 8028, view A
Fabric: Navy blue stretch corduroy (28 wale) from fabric.com
Cost to make: Fabric $12, Pattern $4, Buttons $9=$25 total
Boots: Nine West
I’ve never given much thought to the humble shirtdress, but lately I seem to be a bit obsessed with them! This dress was inspired by the Refined Cord Shirtdress at Anthropologie this season. My dress has a few differences – the waist is pleated rather than gathered, and I did not choose to add pockets to the bust. Other than that, I think it’s pretty darned close! This pattern suffers from one of the worst envelope drawings yet, but it’s really cute made up!
A few pattern notes… I made a size 8 on top, 10 from the waist down. It isn’t tight, but it’s perfect with a belt. I made the shorter length, but I still chopped 4 inches off the bottom – what height are they making dress patterns for exactly? This was my first collar with a stand, and it went pretty well – I made liberal use of some online tutorials! I interfaced the collar with plain muslin, but left the cuffs and buttonband alone – this fabric is pretty stiff! 28 wale is pretty fine, and it’s almost got a velveteen appearance. I don’t like stretch in corduroy because it makes a non drapey fabric even worse, but it’s working pretty well for me here. It does pick up every piece of lint within a 50 mile radius (that’s why no close-ups – I ran out of lint roller sheets this morning!)
I like this dress so much that I’m making another, in this fabric:
Love this shirting. This pattern is decent for plaids because you only have to match the center. The cuffs and collar will be bias cut. Hopefully I will finish it this week as well. I have another shirtdress that I’m refashioning (it’s almost done, I just need some matching thread for the hem,) and at least one, possible two more that I will make this winter. I’m happy to have a basic shirtdress fitted to me – it can be done in so many fabrics with different results!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Very cute & practical & looking like you’ll get many seasons of wear.
I love it!!! Love that it has a bit of length to it too, I just keep seeing shirt-dresses that sit quite high so they’re more like tunics. Nice 🙂
I know, I noticed that too! I like tunics, but I don’t understand why so many stores are callings something a shirtdress when I’m not sure it’s a dress!
Perfect! It’s so “you”! Can’t wait to see the plaid version, too. Cutting the collar and cuffs on the bias will add such a nice design detail.
Very cute dress! I purchased the same fabric but returned it because it was too thin for a jacket and pants. It’s perfect for this dress. I love corduroy fabric too. The small wales have just the right amount of texture:)
That is lovely! I can’t wait to see is made up in the plaid. Apple green and black look super together.
I bought this pattern recently (on sale for NZ$1!). Good to see it made up – looks lovely, just what I was hoping it would be like! and versatile too!
Very cute! I’ve been looking for a shirt dress pattern, this looks like it’s pretty close to what I’m envisioning… Can’t wait to see your next version!
I love cord at the best of times but I ADORE this dress! Good point about lint, though. If it’s not an impertinent question – are you wearing an underslip to stop the dress catching on your tights? Hmmm. I really might have to have a go at this. (I think I say that about almost all your makes!)
It actually doesn’t catch. I think that’s because the skirt stands out so much on its own. But you could easily wear a half-slip underneath if it was a problem (I was planning to, but then I didn’t need it!)
It is so cute!
I think that pleats are better than gathers anyway…
Very beautiful dress! I found your blog through Burda Style;) Very pretty!
Oh I love that cord shirt-dress! I went through a bit of shirt-dress obsession a few months ago – and now you’ve got me thinking about another one!
Sooo beautiful! I have been wanting to make that Anthropologie dress for ever. It’s nice to see that it is possible to recreate it 🙂
Just found your blog from a knitting one 🙂 and love your last few posts. I have been looking for a great shirtdress pattern – a whole heap of patterns came thru’ our little thrift shop a month or so ago – but NO shirtdress patterns:( I probably passed right by it in Vogue if the front drawing wasn’t good, so thanks for the tip!
Oooo, I love seeing how that pattern turns out! I’m tempted to make one myself now.
it looks great. i have been thinking about making a similar one out of a mcalls pattern. looks great!
I love this dress in corduroy- it looks so warm and soft. You did a great job on it, as always!
I love the dress and think it’ll look great in the green check fabric 🙂
I love this! Cotton shirtdresses are a staple of my summer wardrobe, but now I’m fantasizing about one for winter. 🙂
Looking at this inspired me to try. I have some corduroy–umm 10 yards te he–that I bought because it was an awesome purple color but did not know what to do with it. Although I have a feeling that is quite thicker than yours, no matter, good for winter and all that. I did not have a pattern–cant seem to find a decent plus size pattern–so Im using a shirt pattern and adding a skirt, wish me luck.
Great winter shirtdress! Cord is a great, cold-weather choice and your version is lovely. Looking forward to the green-plaid version, it will be gorgeous with your hair colour!
Wow! You’re so right about the pattern illustration. Your version looks great!
I love this dress! I’ve been looking for a nice shirt dress pattern since I could live in shirt dresses… Thanks for the idea!