7 Ways to Wear A Shift Dress Without Looking Frumpy
When you want a dress with a little breathing room but that still looks cute, a shift dress is the answer. A shift dress is similar to a sheath dress, but there’s a key difference. It hangs loosely from the shoulder, falls straight down, and does not cinch at the waist as a sheath. It’s also roomier at the hips. This makes it a casual, comfortable dress, especially on a “fat day.”
Shift dresses were all the rage in the 1960s, when Twiggy and Jackie O wore them, and they remain popular today. The only problem is that the same thing we love about shift dresses — namely, the lack of waist and hip definition — can sometimes make you look heavy and matronly. Here’s what to do to get around that.
1. Wear A Shift Dress that is Slightly Tailored
Some shift dresses are looser than others. Try to find one that is slightly tailored, with nips at the waist, and skims your curves a bit more.
2. Go for Color or Print
Shift dresses have slight shapes or details, so to make this type of dress look more exciting and alive, pick one in a bright color or bold pattern.
3. Watch that Your Dress isn’t too Short
Shift dresses tend to be short, which means they may not be the best choice if you have larger thighs.
4. Choose an Interesting Neckline
Another way to look modern in a shift dress is to pick one with an interesting neckline. Look for lace-up necklines, off-the-shoulder necklines, draped necklines, keyhole necklines, and cold shoulder necklines.
5. Wear Flat or Low Heels
Younger gals often wear shift dresses with heels, which makes the dress look even shorter. A low to medium-heeled shoe or flat sandal is the solution, and it looks especially nice if it’s more on the chunky side. For example, a block heel complements the modern feel of a shift dress. In winter, a flat boot with opaque tights looks excellent.
6. Leggings Can be Worn with a Shift Dress
An excellent way to overcome the short-length problem is to pair your shift dress with leggings. A shift dress looks like a long tunic, and we all know how well tunics go with leggings. Find a shift with a bit of black and wear it with black leggings.
7. Choose Complementary Jewelry
A shift is a bold shape, so avoid delicate, dainty jewelry. Keep your jewelry minimal, but opt for a vital piece, such as a cuff or a pendant necklace. Something with an artistic or modern vibe works with this mod dress style.
8. Try Dressing Up Your Shift Dress
If you have an hourglass figure, consider belting a shift dress to accentuate your waist. Another way to dress it up is with a leather motorcycle jacket.
The shift is a classic. It’s very figure-flattering, and you can’t go wrong. It’s an easy, relaxed type of dress when you want to look hip and classy, so give it a try.
Do you wear shift dresses?
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I would never wear leggings with a shift dress. My question is, which shoes? Pumps are classic, but how do you dress it up for a wedding? Solid color, Earrings? Color shoes for midnight navy? Heel height: which looks best with a shift-sleeve dress?
Hi Beth. I get it. Leggings with a dress is not for everyone. It’s a very artsy look. As for dressy shoes, I love a pointy-toe show with a low-medium height since shift dresses are a little shorter. I love slingbacks, and they are very much in style right now. You can wear any kind of earrings, but it’s a wedding so make it sparkly! Hope that helps. Have fun!
Great to have the definition between a shift and sheath dress pointed out, Deborah; thank you. Being busty and having a tummy means many hours of trying on everything. There’s usually something that looks good, but the days of just walking into a shop and buying the thing you love are gone. Sigh!
I don’t care for the legging under-dress look. I agree with the suggestions for the shoe and jewelry choices. Such an elegant look!