<-h2->Shirt midi dresses worn open or buttoned<-h2-> Shirt midi dresses do the work of three separate outfits, which is most of their appeal. They arrive in cotton, denim, linen-look and satin, in white, black, indigo and print, with collars, button fronts and often a belt at the waist. Buttoned up with a flat knee boot and a wool coat, one handles a cold weekday without asking anything of you. Left open over a plain tee and a straight jean it becomes a light layer for spring, worn with trainers and a cross body bag. Satin versions take an evening easily: heeled mules, gold hoops, a small clutch, and dinner is settled. A fine knit underneath stretches the season past September, and a leather-look belt swapped in for the self-tie changes the shape entirely. Collar and cuff give the dress its structure, so fabrics with a little weight keep their line longest. Cotton, denim and satin shirt dresses all land at midi length.