How to Wear a Shift Dress

Co-authored by Jordan Stolch

Last Updated: December 9, 2021 References

Shift dresses are incredibly versatile and can be worn to work, on the weekend, or to parties. This style of dress traditionally hangs loosely from the shoulders and falls straight down. However, more recently this dress comes in a multitude of fits. For a casual look, choose a straight or loose fitting shift dress, and for a glam look, go as tight as you dare. Wear your shift dress with your favourite flats or heels and pair it with a cardigan to stay warm. Accessorise your outfit with jewellery, a clutch, and sunglasses to complete your look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Crafting an Outfit

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Wear a fitted shift dress with heels for a glamorous look.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} Shift dresses are incredibly versatile and can be worn in a multitude of settings. If you are attending a formal event, party, or business meeting, opt for a shift dress with a tailored fit. This showcases your figure and creates an elegant look. Wear your favourite pair of heels with the dress to complete the outfit.^{[2]
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- Open-toe heels, closed-toe heels, and heeled boots all look great with fitted shift dresses.
- If you prefer not to wear heels, opt for formal flat shoes, such as ballet flats.
- If you get cold, wear a fitted cardigan with this dress.
2
Combine a loose shift dress with flats to create a casual look. Loose fitting shift dresses are really comfortable and are perfect for relaxed social events, going to the beach, and streetwear. Wear flat shoes with your loose shift dress to keep your feet comfy all day long!^{[3]
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- If you want to dress your loose shift dress up, simply wear heels or jewellery with it.
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3
Wear a straight cut dress with a loose cardigan for a flattering look. This style of shift dress is really popular as it looks great on all body types. Wear a loose cardigan over the top if it is cold, or wear the dress by itself. This outfit is both formal enough for work and casual enough for everyday streetwear.^{[4]
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- Avoid wearing a tight cardigan with this dress, as it will cause it to bunch in at the waist and wrinkle.
4
Put on a t-shirt under your sleeveless shift dress for a modern look. This is a really popular streetwear look and is perfect for adding a little warmth on a cooler day. Wear a tailored t-shirt in a contrasting colour under the dress to create a striking look. A white or yellow t-shirt looks great under a navy or black dress.^{[5]
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- If your shift dress has sleeves, wear a tight long-sleeved top underneath it to create a similar look.
- This look is a bit casual for workwear but is perfect for relaxed weekend outings.
5
Wear a short shift dress with heeled boots to accentuate your height. Most shift dresses fall around the knee. Wear a slightly shorter dress with ankle boots or open heels to make your legs look longer. This outfit is perfect for streetwear and evening wear.^{[6]
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- If you are wearing a shorter dress, pair it with a shorter cardigan to make the outfit look proportional.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Picking Accessories

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Wear bright jewellery to add interest to a block-coloured shift dress.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} This is a great way to make your outfit a little more exciting. Consider wearing bold earrings, a chunky necklace, colourful bracelets, or rings with bright shiny stones. Pair these with a block-coloured shift dress to create a striking contrast and to accentuate both your jewellery and your dress.^{[8]
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- If you don't have any bright chunky jewellery, search thrift stores for inexpensive second-hand jewellery. Dollar stores also have a wide range of colourful jewellery options.
2
Pair simple jewellery with a patterned dress. Wearing simple jewellery helps to keep the focus on the beautiful details of your dress. Opt for simple gold or silver jewellery to create a classy and elegant look. This type of jewellery is perfect for both casual and formal occasions.^{[9]
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- Avoid wearing chunky jewellery with a patterned dress, as this can make the outfit look too busy.
3
Carry a clutch bag to contain your personal items.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} Clutch bags work really well with shift dresses as they don't crinkle the fabric in the way that a handbag would. Choose a clutch in the same colour as your dress to help the bag blend in. Alternatively, pick a bright or glittery clutch and make it a feature of your outfit.^{[11]
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- If you don't have a clutch bag, wear a bag with a long strap, as this won't wrinkle your dress as much as a regular handbag.
4
Wear sunglasses in a matching colour to make the outfit look cohesive. Sunglasses are the perfect addition to a casual outfit. If you're headed to the beach or are going out on a sunny day wear a pair of sunglasses or tuck them into the neck of your shift dress.^{[12]
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- If you want to be bold, ignore this suggestion and wear a contrasting pair of sunglasses. This will make them stand out from your outfit!
5
Put a belt around your waist to accentuate your curves.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} This helps to showcase your waist and tailors the dress to your body shape. This works best on straight cut shift dresses as it won't create many wrinkles; however, it can be done on any dress.^{[14]
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- If you want a casual option, wear a fabric belt. For a more formal look, opt for a leather belt.

Expert Q&A

Question

What accessories should I wear to look classy?

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).

Jordan Stolch

Image Consultant & Style Advisor

Expert Answer

To look classy, focus on the usage of statement handbags that are not expensive but look classy. Neck scarfs are another accessory that can be worn tightly around your neck, or styled a bit bigger and then wrapped around your neck more like a regular scarf. Other accessories used for a classy look include the usage of leather belts or jewelry.
Question

How do you wear a wide waist belt?

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).

Jordan Stolch

Image Consultant & Style Advisor

Expert Answer

Try wearing an A-line dress or skirt. Wrapping the belt around the waist creates the illusion that you're smaller in the midsection. Another way to wear a wide belt would be overtopped of a blazer, matched with skinny jeans or skinny leggings.