
Styling the new (& nearly sold out!) Holland Cooper Military Shirt Dress for S/S …
The Military Shirt Dress by Holland Cooper
Ok wow, this dress!!
From the first moment I saw this dress, I knew it had a place in my wardrobe!
I have been obsessed with my Holland Cooper roll neck jumper dresses over the last year or so, the quality and design of anything HC is always second to none, and it is a brand I have loved for so long now. Whilst these roll neck dresses have found a place in my wardrobe all year long, there is ALWAYS room for another dress in my wardrobe…
A slightly more summery dress is a welcomed addition to the HC collection, and it definitely has a well deserved place within the collection. Oozing class, elegance and sophistication, the Military Shirt Dress falls effortlessly, looking sleek and polished, but with a comfortable and relaxed fit.
This shirt dress has been designed with a super soft touch, vintage inspired fabric, whilst the signature metal hardware provides a stunning contrast against the striking dress colour ways. The waist features a practical drawcord, allowing the waist to be cinched for a more fitted style, or loosened for a more relaxed look.
Features:
Drawcord waist
4 pockets
Contrasting hardware
60% cupro, 40% viscose blend
2 colour ways available
This dress fits true to size. I decided to size down in the end, but this was only personal preference, and the size guide online is the best reference for sizing. This dress is designed in a relaxed fit, and the drawcord allows the waist to be cinched in.
Priced at £149.00
Available in Black & Misty Khaki

Styling – The Beauty of The Little Black Dress …
Without a doubt, the LBD is considered a wardrobe essential, with its ease of styling and ability to be dressed up or down, making it an incredibly versatile piece. Whilst a ‘go-to’ for many with parties or special occasions in mind, the LBD also holds its own in the more casual, every day wardrobe. Its simplicity means you have the freedom to create whatever style outfit you like, whether that be bold and bright, using statement accessories, or keeping it simple and casual – the options really are endless!
I always thought my wardrobe wouldn’t suit a LBD which was slightly more casual. I opt for navy more often than not when it comes to my casual wardrobe, and I felt like maybe black was a little too ‘office like’ for my wardrobe which radiates tweed, colour and easy style which can be worn in a field as well as out for brunch.
Struggling with the concept of adding in a more casual LBD, it is always something I have avoided. However, something just clicked with this dress. The Holland Cooper link to exceptionally practical but elegant country clothing shines through in this piece, where it feels like a dress perfect for a day out shopping or brunching with friends, when you want to wear more than a pair of jeans and your favourite deck shoes – but you don’t want to feel like you’ve lost your true style and roots.
I could show endless ways to pair this dress for S/S, but I wanted to show you some easy ways to take your favourite pieces already in your country wardrobe, to style this dress differently! Whilst there are endless ways to style a little black dress, below I show you three very easy ways to wear for the Spring/Summer seasons. Whilst these are based on warmer weather conditions – I can follow up with a post about transitioning to Autumn/Winter if requested!
The other dress colour available is the Misty Khaki, which is also easy to pair with multiple footwear and accessory options – so this blog can still be used for inspiration if that is the colour way you opt for!
⬇️ Let’s have a look! ⬇️
Keep it Casual …
The easiest way to style a beautiful dress … let it speak for itself! You don’t have to overcomplicate outfits, despite there sometimes feeling a need. The beauty of all things Holland Cooper is that their detailing oozes luxury, and there are so many features to each beautiful piece, which create a statement piece in themselves! This dress can be totally left alone, and it still looks fabulous. It makes for such an easy piece in your wardrobe, knowing you don’t have to mess with it to style it.
The draw waist allows you to decide how fitted you want the dress to sit, and the attention to detail throughout the dress, from the pockets to the buttons, mean this is so striking as a stand alone piece. The relaxed fit means the dress is easy to dress casually, so whether paired with sliders, trainers or espadrilles, this is an easy look to pull off all Summer long.
If you want to keep your little black dress outfit simple, stick to a pair of tan flats. This creates the ultimate casual look. Minimal accessories can also help to keep to a simple outfit style. Don’t forget that if you’re heading out and about, you can match your handbag colour to your footwear to create a sleek look!

Steal my style: Holland Cooper Military Shirt Dress, Fairfax & Favor St Tropez Espadrilles, Rayban Wayfarer Sunglasses.
Splash of Colour …
One of my favourite ways to style a dress is to use colourful accessories to really create a statement with the outfit. If you don’t quite feel brave enough to add bright, bold colours into your wardrobe, or if you want to change up more simple outfits, you can use colourful footwear and accessories to really up your outfit game.
Utilising hats, belts and scarves is a really quick and simple way to transform an outfit instantly, without the colour becoming too overpowering. Keeping the shade of accessories and footwear the same will create a polished look. Another really simple way to do this, would be to add a statement colour jacket over the top of the dress, whilst keeping the footwear and accessories in black, as an alternative way to introduce colour to the look.
Wedges are a great way to slightly dress down a LBD, as is a fedora. Don’t shy away from your fedoras when it comes to a summer dress. These are a staple in a Country wardrobe, and they can hold their own with every outfit.
Adding these simple and casual elements make the dress practical for everyday wear instead, whether that be brunch, a picnic, drinks or a trip to the shops!
Below I have used Raspberry colours to really add a statement to the dress, whilst not distracting too much from the dress, or its beautiful features.

Steal my style: Holland Cooper Military Shirt Dress, Fairfax & Favor Monaco Wedges, Fairfax & Favor Sennowe Belt, Welligogs Fedora.
Waist belt …
Using a wide waist belt is a great way to accessorise a LBD. They are flattering, help to break up the dress, and are a great way to tie in an accessory with any other colours you choose to incorporate into your outfit.
I’ve paired the dress with one of the Holland Cooper suede belts. These belts are my go to for everyday wear, and they pair perfectly with a dress. They are such a smart/casual piece for styling, so incredibly well made, and the slightly thicker width is really flattering.
Using a contrasting neutral colour with a little black dress, such as tan, creates a classic look, whilst still keeping the outfit fairly uncomplicated. Don’t forget that as a general rule of styling, belts and footwear should match. This helps to create that seamless look.

Steal my style: Holland Cooper Military Shirt Dress, Holland Cooper Suede Waist Belt, Joules Handbag.
This Holland Cooper Military Shirt Dress is such a fantastic versatile piece, and would fit into any wardrobe with real ease.
If you haven’t already bagged one of these beautiful dresses, they are selling out fast!
Limited sizes available in both colours!
⬇️ BUY NOW ⬇️
Darlings, my uploads have been a little slow … I am so sorry! There has been a lot going on, I am sure I will explain in another blog, but… we should be back into the swing of things again now!
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See you soon!
Lots of love, Lucinda xo
“One is never over-dressed or under-dressed with a Little Black Dress.”
—Karl Lagerfeld
{Please note the dress was part of a previous collaboration with this brand. There was no obligation to write this post. All information was correct at the time of publishing.}
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