How to Wear a Casual Shift Dress Like Taylor Swift and Alexa Chung

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We love a simple shift dress. It’s a breath of fresh air amidst the dizzying array of structured and printed dresses these days.

Although it looks simple and unassuming, it actually offers a slew of interesting styling options. Check out how Taylor Swift and Alexa Chung wore theirs!

Alexa Chung showed off her casual style in a shift sweater dress from Calvin KleinAlexa Chung showed off her casual style in a shift sweater dress from Calvin Klein

Not related to Jamie Chung, Alexa Chung looked effortlessly chic in her shift sweater dress from Calvin Klein Collection.

Alexa Chung toted a black Dolce & Gabbana Agata bagAlexa Chung toted a black Dolce & Gabbana Agata bag

Because the material of the dress is a tad sheer, the British presenter layered it with a camisole dress that is the same length, same color, and same brand as her shift dress.

Alexa Chung at "The Future of Fashion," the Fashion Institute of Technology’s annual end-of-year runway showAlexa Chung at “The Future of Fashion,” the Fashion Institute of Technology’s annual end-of-year runway show at Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, FIT, in New York City on May 1, 2014

The 30-year-old kept up with the pared-down motif of the look and styled it with her favorite top-handle bag from Dolce & Gabbana, a pair of ankle-strap sandals, and a purple fedora hat.

Taylor Swift's casual wide-neck jersey dress features a patch bust pocket and an asymmetrical hemTaylor Swift’s casual wide-neck jersey dress features a patch bust pocket and an asymmetrical hem

Alexa Chung and Taylor Swift looked almost identical. It’s not surprising since they both seem to have a shared love for vintage-inspired clothing.

The country singer sported an Alexander Wang classic boat-neck dress with pocket.

Just like Alexa, Taylor chose a simpler route in styling her jersey shift dress. The 24-year-old toted her Dolce & Gabbana purse, while her bodyguard carried her Sorial Gramercy tote. She was also wearing a fedora hat, which is the Rag & Bone Turn Down fedora.

Taylor Swift leaving a gym with her bodyguard in Soho, New York CityTaylor Swift leaving a gym with her bodyguard in Soho, New York City, on May 6, 2014

The “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer walked alongside her bodyguard with Hop Couture Loafer-shod feet. Seriously, how cute are these shoes?

We think these dresses are perfect for just about anything — errand, shopping, formal function, date, night out; the shift dress is an all-around solution! What’s even better is that both outfits look comfortable and light enough for spring.

Try copying their ensembles with the following classic dresses from Shopbop and Nordstrom:

Wilt Shrunken BF Tee DressWilt Shrunken BF Tee Dress, $136

T by Alexander Wang Draped Suiting Short-Sleeve DressT by Alexander Wang Draped Suiting Short-Sleeve Dress, $315

Clu Clu Too Shirt Tailed T-Shirt DressClu Clu Too Shirt Tailed T-Shirt Dress, $121

10 Crosby Derek Lam T-Shirt Dress with Leather Trim10 Crosby Derek Lam T-Shirt Dress with Leather Trim, $450

BLK DNM Short-Sleeve DressBLK DNM Short-Sleeve Dress, $295

Style these the way Alexa and Taylor did, and you’ll look ready for a day out!

Credit: Alberto Reyes / WENN / TNYF