I wasn’t planning on falling for this Ralph Lauren shirtdress. Honestly, I almost passed on it because I assumed it would be stiff or too structured. But something about the belt trim caught my eye, and I figured, why not?

The fabric is a cotton blend, and it’s way softer than I expected. It drapes nicely without clinging, and the fit feels relaxed but still put-together. I’m 5’6” and went with a medium—it hits just above the knee, which I love for transitional weather. The belt isn’t just for show, either. I tied it loosely in a bow, and it actually defines the waist without feeling restrictive.

What surprised me most was how versatile it turned out to be. I wore it to grab coffee one morning, then threw on a cardigan and heels later that week for a low-key work event. It handled both moments with zero effort.

The color is a warm brown—not too rich, not too muted. It pairs well with cream, black, or even some olive tones. I kept thinking about how it would look styled a dozen different ways.

At around $72, it’s not the cheapest dress out there, but the little details (like that belt and the thoughtful stitching) make it feel worth it. I haven’t worn it enough yet to know how it holds up after washing, but so far, so good.

Oh, and for some reason, every time I put it on, I can’t stop thinking about how Erika Scholtes would style it—probably with ankle boots and a messy bun. Maybe that’s just me, though.