The amount of times I’ve mentioned my love of t-shirt dresses here is probably bordering on obsessive, but I’ve really been trying to focus more on versatile pieces rather than what’s the latest and greatest. So, naturally, one of the most versatile pieces in my closet, a t-shirt dress, is going to come up pretty often! If you missed it, I recently reviewed ten Amazon maxi dresses to find the perfect one. So, if you’re in need of a maxi tee dress, start there! But today, we’re talking about a slightly dressier version: the ruched dress! This is the kind of dress that can take you from day to night. But let’s keep it real– I’m not going out much at night these days! So, all five of my ruched dress outfits are on the casual side!
But before we get into the outfits, let’s talk about the ruched dress. I’ve got options for ya!
The Best Ruched Dress
The first ruched dress I tried is the Leith ruched dress from Nordstrom. This one is the “original,” and it’s currently on sale for $45 (20% off)! It’s a very curve-hugging fit, so I sized up to the large! I definitely recommend sizing up one if you want a more relaxed fit!
I know that $45 still might be a steeper price point than some of y’all are looking for. So, when I saw this dupe on Amazon, I ordered it–twice. ?Amazon-sizing can be a little tricky sometimes, especially when I’m dealing with brands I’m not familiar with! So, I ended up ordering the Amazon dress in two sizes, a large and an extra large.
Nordstrom version (large) | Amazon version (large) | Amazon version (XL)
The middle photo shows me in the large Amazon version. At first glance, it is really hard to tell the difference, right?! The only things I could really see were that the material felt slightly thinner and the fit was a little more snug.
When I tried on the XL (the photo on the right!), there was a marked size difference. Although I didn’t mind how the body fit, the chest area seemed significantly larger. It was too wide and gaped at the armpits.
So which one is the best? I ended up keeping the Nordstrom version simply because it fit me the best. However, style-wise they are so similar I don’t think you could go wrong with the Amazon version! Plus, it’s half the price!
Five Ruched Dress Outfits
Now that you’ve seen all the ruched dress options, let’s get into the outfits! All five are perfect everyday options for spring and summer! You can also easily dress them up and down by switching up the accessories and shoes! Also, if you’re not into the ruched dress look, you could easily sub in a plain tank or tshirt dress or even a maxi dress!
With a Long Sleeve Chambray Top
A long sleeve button down chambray top is one of my go-to’s for throwing on over casual dresses! Wearing it unbuttoned creates a great laid-back vibe! I rolled the sleeves up on mine for warmer weather, but you could also just tie it around your waist! Don’t have a chambray button down? Any button down will do! Try white ones, patterned one (like gingham or floral print!), or other solids.
Dress (large – size up one) | Chambray top (medium) | Espadrilles (9)
With a Kimono
Of course I broke out the kimono! (If you missed it, I styled this exact kimono six ways last week!) Kimonos are my favorite to throw on over dresses, tees, swimsuits and more! They are the perfect way to add personality without the weight of a jacket! Don’t love leopard print? Mine comes in sixteen other prints!
Dress (large – size up one) | Kimono (medium) | Similar Espadrilles
With a Sleeveless Chambray Top
I had to sneak in some more chambray! I just picked up this sleeveless button down from Target, and I’ve already worn it multiple times! I love the top-and-skirt look it creates by knotting it! Here I buttoned the top three buttons and knotted the top at my natural waist. Again, this look isn’t limited to chambray! If you have a white, patterned, striped, or solid button down, try this out! You could also use a short sleeve or long sleeve version too!
Dress (large – size up one) | Chambray top (medium) | Heeled sandals (9)
With a Graphic Tee
This is another great shirt-and-skirt look! And the great thing is that any tee in your closet will work! Solids, graphic tees, and prints all look adorable over a solid t-shirt dress! The only requirement is that your tee is slightly relaxed in fit! Try tying it to the front or side at the smallest part of your waist! This is another great bump-style option too! (I wore this look in my maternity style: two ways to wear a black tank dress!)
Dress (large – size up one) | Good Vibes tee (medium) | Leopard tee (medium) | Slides (9.5)
With a Denim Jacket
Does it get any more classic than this?! You just can’t go wrong with a denim jacket and a tshirt dress! To keep it super-casual, I added Converse sneakers! You could dress this up with wedges or espadrilles! This would also be super-cute with a white denim jacket!
Dress (large – size up one) | Jacket (small) | Sneakers (8.5)
