If there's one thing to know about me, I love a good trend and the rise of "tenniscore" has peaked my interest for its casual yet chic style. But as you probably already know, keeping up with the trends can get a bit expensive. Also, I like my closet to lean capsule wardrobe, so when I add a new item, I need to know that I will wear it more than once and for different occasions.
That's why I was head-over-heels when I saw this shirt dress. Between the tennis-vibe pleated skirt and long sleeve buttoned-up top, it ticked off my trend checklist for fall — and you'll never guess that it's from Walmart.
Free Assembly Pleated Mini Shirt Dress
- Soft, lightweight fabric
- Has pockets
- Versatile styling
- Fabric wrinkles easily
Colors: 4 | Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% polyester
Why I like this Free Assembly dress
The first thing that caught my eye about the dress was its elevated-yet-casual style. If I can wear something with a white sneaker and still feel put together, I'm in. Walmart offers four colorways that are perfect for any season. You have the choice of navy (the one I chose), white, maroon or an olive green. I think the latter shades will be perfect for the upcoming holiday season, too.
It's functional and versatile
This dress has a functional design, allowing you to wear it to the office or out-and-about (I seriously wish I saw this before I went to the U.S. Open). I'm 5 foot 4 inches tall and opted for size XS, and the pleated skirt hits just above my knee, making it a perfect work dress. I wore it with a backless loafer and instantly felt like "old money," which is another trend I try to emulate. Not to mention, my coworkers showered me with compliments and were shocked to know it was a Walmart purchase.
I even paired it with my favorite white sneaker and that's where the dress really shines: The tenniscore trend. Sneakers give the dress a casual quality with a touch of elevation, so you can continue to wear it to work or a lunch date. To make it even better, the dress has pockets, and they're pretty deep. I was able to stow my sunglasses and a chapstick.
It's comfortable and flattering
The dress is made from a cotton and polyester blend fabric, and it feels really lightweight and soft. It comes with a removable waist tie, which makes it feel less boxy and gives you a flattering silhouette. Since it's long sleeve but still lightweight, I think it's a great transitional weather piece. I wore it on day when it was chilly in the morning and warmer in the afternoon, and I felt perfectly dressed.
What to consider
You'll need to be really good with an iron and steamer for this dress. I'm ... not, so I had a difficult time keeping it wrinkle-free. I will need to experiment more with a wrinkle-spray but I found a good iron does get most of the creases out. You'll just want to make sure you prep this dress the night before so you're not scrambling in the morning because it does take a while to iron or steam out.
Regardless of my lack of laundry skills, I know I will get a lot of use out of this dress, since the tenniscore trend doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I think it will even take me through winter with a pair of tights and boots, and there's always next year's U.S. Open.
More shirtdresses to shop
Old Navy Utility Midi Shirt Dress
Colors: 2 | Sizes: XS-4XL | Materials: 74% rayon, 26% polyester
Molerani T-Shirt Dress
Colors: 40+ | Sizes: XS-3XL | Materials: Rayon, polyester spandex
Nanette Lepore Rolled Sleeve Pleated Shirtdress
Colors: 1 | Sizes: 4-16 | Materials: Rayon, polyester spandex
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Shannon Garlin is an associate editor for Shop TODAY. She has been with the team over two years covering a wide range of topics, including product reviews, viral beauty and sales.
