3.16.2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Rag & Bone Tailrace Shirtdress for a Steal

Darlings, I have no qualms about owning up to the truth; and the truth, at this precise moment, is that I am head over heels not only for chambray, but, specifically, chambray shirtdresses!

There is an element of bohemian elegance proffered via the sophisticated simplicity of the shirtdress; a majestically mussed, refined rumpled, posh playfulness showcased by the design, which makes one look as if they are accoutered in the very same dress shirt their cute boy du jour wore to a chichi corporate affair just last night, as opposed to a freshly laundered cut crafted with the curvy lady in mind. Therefore it should come as no surprise that Rag & Bone’s Tailrace Shirtdress is my new clothing crush.

Harboring a fold-over collar, eight-button closure, and shirttail hem identical to that seen upon dapper menswear; the Tailrace Shirtdress easily juxtaposes between masculinity and femininity in terms of design courtesy of a more fitted bodice which hugs one’s curves, whilst still allowing enough slack to make one feel relaxed, carefree, and fabulous!

Kitty cats, I truly cannot help it! Already my mind is ablaze with styling ideas for the piece de resistance of quintessential spring attire! Today I’ll haphazardly lasso a skinny, woven, cognac-hued belt around the waist and slip on a pair of knee-high, weatherbeaten riding boots for a rustic look; come this evening I’ll slide on a pair of black liquid leggings and sky-high stilettos to radiate effortless grandeur; and bright and early tomorrow morning you’ll see me gallivanting off to a blissful brunch dressed in nothing more than the Tailrace Shirtdress hanging lankly from my frame and a pair of glittering ballerinas for a truly laidback silhouette. All in my dreams, of course.

I suppose I should have let you in on that horrid little secret long ago, lovers; though, in all honesty, I was hoping it would magically disappear. The exorbitant price tag, that is. Beautiful, yes; affordable…absolutely not – for at $325.00 one could buy almost an entire new wardrobe for the amount required to make the Tailrace Shirtdress their own. Not to worry, of course; Ella is here to save the day.

While slightly darker in color, Alloy’s Ella Shirt Dress is just as decadent as Rag & Bone’s ravishing beauty; but at $39.90 a piece, one has the ability to snag it in both colors, and still have quite a bit left over for a glamorous spa day with the girls!

Which role have you decided to undertake on this terrific Tuesday, kittens? Tightwad or spendthrift?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shopbop and Alloy for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.
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82 comments

Stéphanie said...

So nice !

FASHION SNAG said...

I love Rag & Bone's quality, but the Alloy one looks to be a little more tailored and slimming. I will have to be a tightwad in this case =)

www.FashionSnag.com

Chicago Chic said...

I love this look, and what a brilliant bargain for the Alloy shirt dress! I love it, it is just as beautiful so I am going to have to choose the cheaper. :)

Wonderful Tightwad Tuesday....love it!!! Perfect for Spring too.
xxxx
Rachel

Jen Hsieh said...

this is one of those cases where i'll be a tightwad :)
i actually got chambray shirtdress from H&M yesterday for only 30! so i'm beyond excited to wear it :)

E said...

I'm always amazed how you managed to find things that I end up liking better than the more expensive piece. I wish I could take you shopping with me.

chandra h said...

i so adore shirt-dresses! they have that wonderful effortlessly messy cute vibe.

hope you have a lovely tuesday!

<3 http://www.prettytimepiece.org

Rock Couture said...

Amazing find.... i love this look!

meraldia said...

It looks so comfortable!

Unknown said...

I would have to go with Alloy's Ella Shirt Dress!! Not only is it a much better price, but I think I like the shape of it better too!

I may have to purchase this!

tess said...

I'm super into chambray right now!

Diane said...

i'm gonna be a tightwad today. the dresses look so similar...and for a difference in price that is THAT huge i'll save my pennies...

Leah said...

I'm also looking for a chambray shirtdress... I love Rag&Bone's version but I won't spend that much for a shirtdress.

Have a great Tuesday Erika! xoxo

SabinePsynopsis said...

Isn't a shirtdress just THE THING these days? You can wear it with jeans, leggings, solo... with a sweater, jacket... I do love the Rag & Bone, but somehow $39.90 beats $325.00!

Rachel Scarlet said...

I always love shirtdresses. Especially with skinny jeans or leggings. It's a perfect casual outfit.

Denisa L said...

love shirt dresses, need to buy more:)
today I'm going to be thrifty so it's the Alloy one for me:)

Jennifer Fabulous said...

This shirt dress is so adorable! It's perfect for spring!!

I'm so happy to be back so I can catch up on your fabulous blog! xoxo

I hope you're having a lovely week!

Josie said...

I like the Rag&Bone one better, actually -- I'd belt it to give it a better shape -- but the Alloy dress is a super substitute!
xxoo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

daisychain said...

love both but best be thrifty ;)

Anonymous said...

Lovely shirt!!;))

J. said...

You have quite a talent for sniffing out the thrifty finds! I actually prefer the shape of the Alloy dress, and your styling ideas make me want to rush out and get it...so versatile!

goodwillgirl said...

Well, I guess I should have just put a belt around my man's shirt and rolled up the sleeves! ha!

Re your comment: Neatness by cat. Gotta love that!

Terence Sambo said...

A lot of ppl underestimate the importance of a dress shirt as a staple item in any wardrobe, be it male or female. Its one of the most versatile piecea and all ladies who have got stuck at their boyfriends without change of clothes understand wat im sayin better :o]

Cafe Pasadena said...

I LOVE shirt dresses! Almost as much as short dresses! ;)

Maddy said...

The Alloy one looks so comfy! I'd love to try this, but since I'm "blessed" with a prominent pear shape, these shirt dresses never look right on me :(

L said...

Perfect for spring. I'd go with the cheaper option as well! Where do you find all these look for less deals? It would really help me from regretting splurging sometimes, nothing worse than walking into a store and seeing your favorite top 3x cheaper than what you got it for!

www.janetteria.com said...

So comfy and chic at the same time!

Xisca said...

Today a girl of my class wore that kind of shirtdress, I really love it!
xxx

Cindy Whitehead said...

The alloy shirt looks pretty darn good and since you may not wear this "forever" I say go the less expensive route! Thanks for your fun comments on my blog - you rock! (-:

Roxanne said...

I have a shirt almost identical to this one from the Gap, although I don't think they're selling it anymore. You're right, though, it's very versatile! xo

Joanne said...

Love that look with the leggings. I'll opt for the Ella, definitely. It's a wardrobe piece that'd get a lot of use!

ellie said...

I'm always the thrifty one...as in take the boyfriend's shirts. He never dresses up that much. Of course, he had worn my pants before.

Cool trend though. Loved the post.

Sara said...

Oh I love alloy!!! :D

I really like shirt dresses, I am kind of late in the game for them but they are too cute to pass up. I really like the Alloy one, it is just as cute as the rag & bone one. lol I think I always pick the cheaper one :P

xoxox
~Sara

Francy said...

I got a shirt dress at a thrift store for $4! I love them though. They're so versatile and chic. I will definately rock mine this spring.

pixiedrivein.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

i'd have to go for rag & bone here... love that shirtdress!

Anonymous said...

wat happen today suddenly shirts looks great

Audrey Allure said...

Love them both! I think when worn right it looks pretty :)

Shop N' Chomp said...

They look so comfy! Love the casual vibe. :)

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Love the look- I'd want the more $$ one though. I like the sleeve better!

Shannon of HAPPINESS IS said...

I could live in that shirt dress!

P.S. I'm giving away something pretty on my blog today :) xo

Anonymous said...

you always post beautiful stuff ,
today looks very dull

hey dont worry its cool

bananas. said...

I was just saying it wanted a thin jean tunic shirt. This is perfect!

Alicia Lund said...

Ah, I'm actually torn tho on which one to choose, they're both super cute. And although the Rag & Bone shirtdress is more, I think I like it the best.

Peter Breese said...

You've inspired me. Nice! Cheers my friend.

Anonymous said...

GREAT FIND! I think I actually like the Alloy version better - it has a nice fit on the model.

Jen said...

Now then Erika - loving your choices for Tightwad Tuesday! But happily I don't need to choose this week, as I already have a very similar shirt dress in my very own wardrobe! And it was from a very cheap shop - Primark. :)

Alice said...

I am 10o% on for the shirtdress! It is an absolute must have for the casual elegance. With some skinnies and killer heels - a perfect recipe for nonchalant chic!

Well picked Erica! :)

Devea said...

very cute! perfect for spring :)

Sniff said...

I'm off to visit New York in four weeks. A dress like this is now duly put down on my shopping list.

Couture Carrie said...

Fabulous Alloy find, darling!

xoxox,
CC

Mimi said...

I love shirt dresses! They're so essential yet versatile. The blue color is so pretty and preppy at the same time.

Elizabeth Marie said...

I eat up anything Rag & Bone...so I'm going for that one ha.

Tiffany Kadani said...

Always a tightwad in practice haha! I love the look, especially with a pair of leggings and those bangles.

I left you an award on my blog because I think you are absolutely fabulous.

Posh Peach said...

Very cute! Anthropologie has some pretty shirtdresses right now as well.

la petite fashionista said...

i have a chambray shirt dress i bought in london that I adore! its one of my favorite looks for spring :)

Lauren said...

tightwad for sure!

Marilia Roquini said...

Oh! I love shirtdress… they are so it’s from my boyfriend thing!!!
They make us more sexy I guess and mach perfectly with legging!!!

xoxo
lady

Carly said...

thanks for the commet :)
i love the shirts !
love FASHIONPROJECT. x

ana said...

Both are absolutely beautiful!!!

maddy said...

OMG! i just bought a white shirt dress, and wore it all weekend, basically. I'm in love! Fabulous post!!!

stay classy

S.Elisabeth said...

Ooh I absolutely adore this find. I kind of feel like I need this in my wardrobe...now!

Elizabeth said...

I adore shirt dresses. These two are brilliant! Such a great find. PS You have an amazing writing style :)

Elizabeth said...

Don't know if my comment posted, but if not, I love shirt dresses!! With a passion. Sometimes I don't know if I can pull them off though/ wear them with the right shoes, etc...

Unknown said...

I love this LOOK!! im actually in need of shirtdresses for the spring! i usually get mine at good old goodwill, at times at the man section!
-Carlis

Clare said...

This is such a cute shirt dress! It would be perfect for layering.

ediot said...

ive got a shirtdress like that- and i cant wait to wear it in the summertime with my brown suede shoes-

and also this reminded me about needing to find nice denim shirts tomorrow when i go second hand shopping with a friend.
hope youre doing great dear.
loved this entry.

xx ediot

ediot said...

ive got a shirtdress like that- and i cant wait to wear it in the summertime with my brown suede shoes-

and also this reminded me about needing to find nice denim shirts tomorrow when i go second hand shopping with a friend.
hope youre doing great dear.
loved this entry.

xx ediot

COCAMIA said...

I need to get one or two or three ASAP!!! Love it!

Shayna said...

I"m not sure of how I'll look in a shirtdress BUT for the cheaper price, it's worth trying :-) Loving your blog!!

Elle said...

I love the idea of a shirtdress but not on myself for some reason.. for a thrifty price I might just try it!

Jamie said...

You are so funny! Love that Rag and Bone top...I know that price tag IS disappointing! :(

http://glamlatte.blogspot.com

Fashion Court said...

i "borrowed" something from my dad..just like that!

MizzJ said...

Definitely tightwad! $300+ for a shirt, albeit a very nice one, is just too much!

Sierra said...

I love this style it is so classic and comfy! I love Alloy too, what a steal and they have the cutest clothes!

Angie said...

I think I like the Alloy one better, it seems to have more of a curve. You can see the model's waist in that picture. It is a very cute look and I'd wear it depending on the color.

o said...

ah, love the rag & bone shirt, but not for $325! lol:) i agree, there's just something so effortlessly chic about a shirt dress! wow, the alloy version is adorable, as well! thanks for sharing:)

TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

very cute!! one of my fave pieces is a menswear shirt from american apparel and it wasn't too much money- I think 60 maybe? I love it.

Sherin said...

I love the look of shirt dresses! They would look so great with a belt and pair of cowboy boots. I'm going tightwad this week: it's so much more affordable.

All Women Stalker said...

Hmm I don't have the body to pull this off. I'll have to go cheap :)

Christina Lee said...

I like ones that are more fitted or belted, otherwise looks like a tent on me...

Leia said...

I need a shirtdress!!

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I love the Rag & Bone shirtdress, but Alloy's looks more tailored. I think it will be the most flattering. So I'm definitely going to be the tightwad and take Alloy's version.
Either way I'm pretty sure I need a shirtdress now! :)

Cassie S said...

I love this look!!! It is classy and put together but it also doesn't look like I would be trying too hard!!!! I just bought one!!! :)

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