Shift Dresses

Bringing Back The 50's

Shift dresses really started to pick up in the late 1950s and the socialites of the era really enjoyed the slim fitting dresses that fell slightly above the knees. These dresses started off with a bang by designer Lilly Pulitzer, who at the time was a well to do socialite whose husband owned citrus groves in Florida. Lilly needed a hobby of her own so she made juice from the different fruits which were sold too tourist through a juice stand. Lilly sought a dressmaker to make dresses to cover the stains from the squeezed fruits and the result was the “Classic Shift Dress” which at the time was sleeveless shift made of cotton and bright colors including pink, green, yellow and orange. The dresses also featured lining, lace seam bindings, and bows and was a hit to her customers who all loved the dress and some even wanted to buy the dress.

Lilly took this wave and began selling these comfortable dresses which really became a sensation when a classmate of hers wore the dress. Jackie Kennedy was a old school mate of Lilly’s and when she wore the Classic Shift Dress in a feature for Life Magazine, the dresses became the fashion trend to wear and women of all ages started to favor these lovely dresses. From then on these dresses have gained popularity and loss some but is still presently a very choice dress to have in any women’s wardrobe. Shift dresses have changed quite a bit from Lilly’s classic version but the main concepts of less volume, no waist definition, and a dress that falls straight down is still present even though the dresses maybe shorter and come with extra details.

Appeal of Shift Dresses

There is plenty of appeal to shift dresses as these dresses are very versatile and very flattering to many body shapes. The shift dress has adapted since its inception and different necklines, fabrics, and detailing have been added by many designers but these dresses are still comfortable. The extra details and designs like stripes and floral patterns actually work very well with the simple design of these dresses. Shift dresses have no waist definition and are not snug against the body which makes them favorable for hot days as well as for various body shapes. These dresses do a better job at softening the body shape by producing a sleek outline on the outside instead of aligning with individual body shapes. The dresses are easy to slip on and the comfort level is a total plus.

This frock is also very versatile and can be worn to many different occasions and can combine with lots of attire. These dresses can be worn to work with the right jacket, can be worn over jeans, can be worn with tights, can be matched with a ton of different shoes ranging from flats to knee high boots, and the list goes on and on. Shift dresses can also be layered over other clothing to create chic styles. The adaptability of the dresses allows women to wear it from work to a night on the town with some quick adjustments and additions. When it comes to material, shift dresses usually feels better with more relaxed and softer material and stretch material really does not do very well with a few exceptions. Shift dresses are designed to be comfortable without the need for stretching and cotton has been a favorite for day dresses while silk and other fabrics are preferable for evening dresses. Shift Dresses Spotlight

Satin Shift

Calvin Klein has incorporated many different shift dresses over the years and this one is a charming and simple one great for day or night. The dress incorporates a high scoop neckline with sequins and pleats above the bust for an extra touch to a simple design.

BCBG Dress

This playful dress from BCBG by Max Azria uses vertical and horizontal pintucks mixed with crocheted insets to create a tiered look to the hem. The dress has a square neckline, V-back, and an A-line silhouette that tips out at the hem. This is a fantastic option for a shift dress that can be worn to any summer event beautifully.

1960’s Style Shift

This retro, Conspicuous shift dress is ultra chic and shown here worn
over tights for a very refined look. The dress applies a vintage look with
a three-quarter-length lantern sleeves along with a crew neckline with a complimentary bow. This particular dress has a shorter
hem which is great for layering and combining with other clothes.

Little Black Shift

The celebrity wearing this truly graceful dress is none other than Jessica Alba who shows the allure of the dress. The dress has a scoop neckline and silver paillettes scattered throughout. This is a lovely
design by Prada which uses a slightly longer hem that reaches just at knee level and shows that shift dresses can be formal as well.

Shift Dress Search Tips

Look for dresses that are not too wide and do not have too much volume. Look for other flattering designs like bows at the hem or at the straps. Heavy busted women should look for flattering necklines. Select dresses with material to meet desired season and time of day. Cotton is great for daytime, silk is an option of night time, and wool is a warm fall choice. Accessorize shift dresses with simple pieces that do not distract from the simple design.