Shift dress: how to wear and what to combine with

Have you seen the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's? If not, we highly recommend – worthy female film with unsurpassed Audrey Hepburn in the title role! But now it's not about that… In this film, the heroine appears before the audience in completely different images: in an elegant evening, in a cozy home, in a daring and provocative one. And the most memorable was the outfit that went down in fashion history forever and has not left anyone indifferent for more than 50 years. This shift dress – simple yet elegant, just like Audrey herself.

Intrigued? So it's time to talk about what a shift dress is, what its subspecies are, who it suits and how to wear it.

What is a shift?

From English, the word «shift» translated as a shift or displacement, which in the interpretation of fashion means a change in youth culture towards something more familiar and comfortable. But do not think: shift dress – this is not an old-fashioned grandmother's outfit, but a thing that gave women the opportunity to work comfortably, dance and just move freely, regardless of the season. It remains so to this day.

As you can see from the photo, the shift dress – This is a short dress, smooth, straight cut, laconic design. It hangs on the figure, does not fit, rests only on the shoulders. But this is what left no one indifferent and made the shift dress a favorite wardrobe item and relevant, both for the office and for celebrations.

Outwardly, and in cut, the shift dress resembles a sheath dress, but differs from its classic version in a free silhouette, width, great comfort and a straight or trapezoid bottom. It expands from the shoulder line, does not taper to the waist and sits wide on the hips, which allows you not to highlight the waist, smooth out the roundness, hide the fullness and, if necessary, not advertise the "interesting position". This outfit is more like an elongated top, but in length above the knee or to the middle of the thigh. In the classic version, the shift dress has an oval neckline or boat neckline, and the collar itself is turn-down with rounded or pointed corners.

As for the pockets, they can be overhead or welt and located just below the waist line, which gives the dress a shift of authenticity and retro style.

Subspecies of shift dress and their features

We talked about the classic version of the shift dress. But designers still create some styles that differ from each other in some interesting details:

- fitted version. Yes, there is one! Although in the classical sense, the shift dress should be completely free, but there is a subspecies of it with darts at the waist. This model sits freely on the hips and in the chest, but well emphasizes the waist;

- shift dress flared to the bottom. This option is very popular among curvaceous ladies, because it allows you to hide the wrinkles on the stomach and full hips. If such a model also has 3/4 sleeves, then it will visually stretch the silhouette and make the figure slimmer;

- midi shift dress – perfect for autumn or winter. More often they are a little fitted and with a high waist;

- models in sports style – This is a shift created on the basis of a regular T-shirt. Often such a dress is made of natural materials that are well breathable and perfectly absorb moisture. Therefore, a shift sports dress can be considered ideal for sports and active pastime.

There are also asymmetrical models and shift dresses with flounces and ruffles. Such options are more festive and elegant, which is why they are most often used as an evening dress.

Depending on the fabric from which the shift dress is sewn, there are such types of it:

- summer version of cotton fabric – a light dress that drapes well and flows down the figure in smooth folds;

- a winter shift dress made of dense material, wool mixture or tweed. This outfit will be perfect for work in the office;

- spring-autumn model – as a rule, a dress of bright colors made of soft fabrics.

Although, as practice shows, the type of fabric does not affect the simplicity, comfort and elegance that a shift dress can boast of.

Who suits the shift dress and how to wear it?

The shift dress has one advantage that other models do not have. This is versatility and loyalty. That is, the shift dress is equally well suited for girls with a boyish physique, and lush beauties with voluminous hips. But it is better for appetizing young ladies to complement such an outfit with a thin belt at the waist so that the image does not look too fat and heavy.

As for the age category, there are no restrictions here either: the shift dress is suitable for both young fashionistas and more mature ladies. The only difference – playful and colorful colors and rich tones are more suitable for young women, and laconic solid colors are more suitable for older women. In addition, slender young girls can afford to dress in bright and shiny models with sequins, lurex, crystals and rhinestones, made of velvet or metallic fabric.

Young girls can wear such dresses with high-heeled shoes, although no one has canceled flat shoes and sandals either. For women aged 40+, this is also good information!