A striped shirt mini dress reads as more deliberately styled than a plain shirt dress because the pattern adds visual interest without requiring detail. The stripes are usually vertical which creates length and the width of the stripe changes how formal or casual the dress reads. Thinner stripes feel more refined whilst wider stripes feel more relaxed. Cotton is the right fabric here because it has enough weight to support the shirt structure and the print sits cleanly on the surface. Most feature all the proper shirt details including buttons, collar and pockets. The length sits at mid-thigh and the casual vibe comes from the stripe pattern feeling unpretentious. These are the striped cotton shirt mini dresses that work because the pattern itself adds enough visual interest that you do not need additional styling.