Like any self-respecting ex-Glasto-goer who has found themselves ticketless this year, I have spent the past 24 hours hate-scrolling social media, filled with FOMO and a stubborn determination to revel in easy access to clean toilet facilities and silence. I have also found myself wistfully flicking through my Glastonbury 2024 photo album, and came across a snapshot of myself, happily sweaty, in an upcycled T-shirt dress from Conner Ives at Cyndi Lauper’s sound issue-plagued performance. With its throw-on fit, comfortable, oversized silhouette and patch-worked fabric (which hid a multitude of sins) it was, on reflection, the perfect festival buy.
Yet, 12 months on, I find myself inexorably drawn back to the one-and-done appeal of the T-shirt dress, even outside the hallowed confines of Worthy Farm. For a recent Vogue shoot, I found a black mini T-shirt dress from Noughties high-street favourite AllSaints, known for its boho styles. But there was nothing befrilled about this clean-lined number, which featured a boxy-fit and useful drawcord detail to create an asymmetrical hemline. Then, later in the month, I stumbled across a vintage Ralph Lauren men’s T-shirt, which was long enough to double-up as a dress – I plan on wearing it on holiday with flip-flops and layered beaded necklaces. I also swear by a billowing crepe maxi T-shirt dress from The Row, which I sourced second-hand a few years ago – I always turn to it on sweltering summer days in the city.
Apparently I am not alone in my new-found obsession with the T-shirt dress. Earlier this month, Vogue’s fashion writer Olivia Allen waxed lyrical about her love of the wardrobe staple, explaining: “The T-shirt dress lets you flirt with micro hemlines without lunging headfirst into full-on ’80s athleisure or rhinestone cowboy cosplay (although there is a time and a place for both of these looks). Slightly chaotic, this is a failsafe approach for the disorganised.”
Meanwhile, on the runway, we saw Moschino jump on the T-shirt dress bandwagon, sending out a T-shirt tube dress (tubinos in Italian, creative director Adrian Appiolaza told Vogue Runway) and loose-fitting white iterations layered over befringed trousers and long gloves for autumn/winter 2025. Then, for spring/summer 2025, it was an oversized logo T-shirt dress, worn with bare legs and, erm, bin bag boots.
Off the runway, we recommend vintage and second-hand being your first port of call, and while there are plenty of enviable options online, this might be something to try on IRL (remember that?), as it’s important to get an oversized fit that works for you – and doesn’t just look like you’ve forgotten to put on trousers. Elsewhere, the likes of Róhe and Cos are worth your attention for more minimalist spins, and, of course, Conner Ives is the GOAT for statement-making upcycled styles.
So whether you’re slumming at Glasto or just sitting in the park with a tinny in the city, this is one dress staple you will never regret investing in. Scroll down to see and shop our T-shirt dress outfit ideas.
Vintage T-shirt dress + slouchy boots
Mini T-shirt dress + rope sandals
White T-shirt dress + statement necklace
Smocked T-shirt dress + bandana
Black maxi T-shirt dress + colourful sneakers
Baseball T-shirt dress + clogs
Striped dress + craftcore accessories
