Sharing my J.Crew Elena Shirtdress Review — one of my favorite dresses to wear in the spring and summer! It’s perfect dressed up or down.
Elena Shirtdress // Raffia Mary Janes // Stripe Sweater (My sweater is currently sold out but here’s a similar sweater under $50)// Amazon Sunglasses // Woven Tote (This was from J.Crew a couple of years ago. J.Crew currently has this similar woven tote and I found a $35 straw tote)
I purchased the J.Crew Elena shirtdress last year to fill a gap in my wardrobe. A shirtdress is a fantastic workhorse piece in my closet and I have several in different prints, they’re my go-to for daytime dresses.
My white shirtdress only came down to my knees, which worked just fine for weekends or work (throw on a blazer and tie a scarf around your neck and you’re all set!). But I was missing a shirtdress for instances when I wanted to go a little dressier. I needed a shirtdress with length and Elena caught my eye!
The Elena shirtdress has timeless appeal. This dress takes all the elements of what makes a shirtdress great and kicks it up a notch. It’s a fantastic piece and its cotton poplin fabric makes it an excellent blank canvas to accessorize and fit into a classic, colorful wardrobe.
First Impressions of Elena Shirtdress
Right out of the box, I thought, “Wow, this is going to take forever to iron!” I do have a thing about unwrinkled clothes and while I actually enjoy ironing (it’s oddly therapeutic), this seemed like a monumental undertaking.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. The wrinkles came out in a snap! Once that was taken care of, I noticed how crisp the cotton poplin is. I love how the sleeves smartly cuff up, it gives the dress an instant polished appearance.
The shirtdress is 100% cotton and you can tell it’s high quality and durable. It’s also a clean white!
How Does the J.Crew Elena Sizing Fit?
J.Crew sizing is pretty uniform and I typically go with my “true size” when buying pieces. The smocked waistline of the Elena is quite forgiving so I would say in this instance, you can likely stay with your true size or even size down one size. I’ve also had no problems with gaps between the buttons! A big plus in my book.
I went with a petite because of my short height (I’m 5’3″) and it hits perfectly at my ankle. There was no need to have the dress hemmed at all.
Is It a Comfortable Shirtdress?
Yes! You can easily wear this dress all day long. I’ve worn it for dinners out, visits to wineries, and church on Sunday. The extra length of the cotton poplin shirtdress really gives you room to make your outfit feel more glam.
Plus, you can categorize the Elena as a breathable dress. Absolutely crucial for those hot, humid summer days!
I wouldn’t say the skirt is see-through but, out of an abundance of caution, I do wear nude-colored shorts underneath the dress. Since it is 100% cotton, it does wrinkle easily but c’est la vie. I may be a stickler for starting my day wrinkle-free but wrinkles throughout the day show you’re moving about and living life.
The Elena also washes really well. I do cold water and then delicate dry and have had no issues. My Elena dress looks exactly the same as when I bought it.
How To Style the Elena Shirtdress
The Elena’s classic and timeless silhouette make it easy to style and versatile for dressing up and down. Here are a few ideas:
- A Beachy Drinks/Casual Vibe: Jack Rogers sandals, a colorful sun hat, and raffia earrings.
- Church or Formal Event: A structured blazer or lady jacket cardigan with these blush suede block heels.
- Brunch: Accessorize with a braided belt around the waist and a scarf tied around the neck.
Is the Elena Shirtdress Worth the Splurge?
Overall on this J.Crew Elena shirtdress review, I say absolutely yes this dress is worth the splurge! I reach for this dress so often during the warm weather months, even more so now we’re living in San Diego. You can wear and style it so many ways.
After a couple of summers wearing this dress, I can confirm the cotton doesn’t wilt in the heat. Its crisp white color also stands up remarkably well!
