I have an ongoing love affair with the shift dress. You really can't go wrong with its simple lines and clean fit that just barely skims over the body - it provides definition in the most flattering but subtle way. So very Jackie O. So very essentially classy. (The shift dress was/is additionally popular with Audrey Hepburn, Michelle Obama, and the Lilly Pulitzer collections.)While shift dresses come in a variety of styles, the most common form that I have encountered - and the most office-friendly form - tends to be a sleeveless, high-necked (or boatneck) dress with definition at the bust but not at the waist. It follows the lines of the body at a relatively uniform width (there is very little to no flare in the skirt) until it hits right above the knee. In my opinion, a shift dress that fits you well is as essential to a business wardrobe as a basic suit.
When shopping for a shift, make sure that your arms can move with ease and aren't constricted by the sides of the dress. Additionally, it is very important to check that the bust is appropriately sized - typically, if you wave your arms from front-to-back, you will not only look ridiculous and frighten the dressing room staff, but you can also test out the bust to make sure it isn't too tight. You will feel the strain if the bust sizing is inappropriate. It doesn't matter if the dress looks great - if you are constricted by the bust or arm holes, it's going to be a real pain in the armpit during the workday and detract from your true responsibilities (and performance!) in the office.
Finally, make sure you try sitting down in the dress before deciding that a shift is perfect for you. Because it is a dress instead of a skirt that is independent of a blouse, there is a little less give in the waist when you sit down, and so it has a tendency to ride up a little further than would a normal pencil or A-line skirt. It's fine if it rides up a few inches (that happens to everybody), just watch out when more than half of your upper legs are exposed upon sitting down - I know there might be some ladies out there looking to obtain their M-R-S degree while in the workplace, but I assure you - this is not a sustainable way of doing it!
Some places that offer great options for shift dresses include (but are not limited to): Ann Taylor/Loft, Brooks Brothers, Talbots, The Limited, Banana Republic, and J. Crew.
After you have picked out a shift dress that fits you perfectly, the rest is easy! Because the shift is so structured (but yet simple) on its own, you can either wear it on its own (understated), or spruce it up with some carefully chosen accessories. In my case, I went with a silk-blend baby-blue cardigan and a stretchy hot pink belt with a golden buckle. I like the juxtaposition of the soft tone of the cardi with the adolescent hue of this belt that is reminiscent of the high-waisted elastic neon belts popular amongst aerobic instructors in the 80s (not surprisingly, this belt was borrowed from the early days of my childhood - its usefulness has certainly been augmented by its stretchiness).
Two last quick notes:
(1) When accessorizing the shift dress, make sure you use *carefully chosen* accessories. Today, I chose to go with a cardigan and a belt - I considered adding a more dramatic necklace, but if I had gone with that option, I would have had to eliminate either the cardigan or the belt (leading to either a cardigan + necklace OR belt + necklace combo); otherwise, the outfit would have been too busy.
(2) Another great thing I love about the shift dress (other than its effortless style) is its comfort. Because it is a dress without a particularly defined waist, you get the benefit of having simple, flattering lines without having to deal with constricting waistbands. Let me just say that constricting waistbands don't play well with my fear/hatred/dread/allergy/moral objection of going to the gym and/or working out in general. (Life's just so much better not sweaty!)
Speaking of not sweaty - I have another full day of training ahead of me tomorrow, and the room where we've been training is FREEZING. Even though it's technically summer (I love you Chicago, but this whole bipolar-season thing has GOT to stop), I'm going to try to work some tights into my outfits to help ward off some of this extreme air-conditioning.
Shift Dress: Ann Taylor | Cardigan: The Limited | Belt: hand-me-downs (sister's) | Heels: Ralph Lauren
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