Who doesn’t love a good shirt dress? They’re timeless, easy to wear, and simple to style. I have a few in my winter wardrobe in plain moody colours, but it occurred to me recently that I don’t have any cute printed shirt dresses that would work for casual, fun summer wear. Well, as it just so happens, Joanie clothing have taken up that call this season with aplomb.

Dress: Blue Thelma Check dress C/O Joanie Clothing
Brooch: Cherry spray by Bow and Crossbones
Bangles: Banoffee fakelite by Splendette
Turban: Self made
Shoes: Old eBay

Thelma here is ready for summer, she’s cute as a button in her little check print, and she’s here to offer you her laid-back style services in many colours. In addition to the cool blue I’m sporting here, this dress is also available in black and red check, as well as in a green gingham in the sale section if you act fast!

This dress opens and closes with the functioning full buttoned-through front, so there’s no pesky side zipper to struggle with. There’s an elasticated shirring panel in the back, ready to give you a little bit more breathing room if you need it on a hot summer day–or, you know, after having a couple more slices of pizza than you should have. It comes with a tan belt, it’s made from 100% cotton to help you stay cool when it’s warm, and there’s pockets!

I opted for this in a size 18 in case my upper arms made trouble in the fit and that choice made for a comfortable, roomy fit overall. As the dress is made from cotton the fabric itself is non-stretch, but that shirred back panel allows the 36 inch laid-flat waist to stretch to 39 inches, while the bust is 42 inches flat with give to 44 inches before the buttons start to gape. The shirt cuffs measure 16 inches in circumference with no stretch, and the armholes are 22 inches around. The skirt measures 25.5 inches long, but ladies who have a long torso like me will find it comes up shorter than expected because the bodice is 16.5 inches from shoulder to waist over the midpoint of the breast, making this an especially great option for petite ladies. There’s only room in the gathered skirt for a very slim petticoat, as I wore in these pictures.

The Thelma shirt dress comes in UK sizes 8-22 in 3 check colourways. Joanie Clothing ship internationally.