Late Summer and Early Fall: A Time to "Shift" into Sensible Dresses

Linen Shift Dress 

When the temperatures lower add a red, black or white sweater to this dress.

This time of year is for loose clothing. I have found the "shift" a perfect piece for summer and early fall wear. The shift is mainly a dress that hangs from the shoulders with bust darts, neckline is high,  slightly narrow over-all, and sometimes worn with a belt.  This is a wonderful dress for those with a slender figure. However it looks great on all figures as long as it is not tight fitting, too low a neckline, and a decent  below-the-knee hem length, because your entire dress raises in the back when you bend over.

Lady-like Midi Dress

  The current patterns and  ready-to-wear shifts are designed above the knee but the length of  the shift has varied over the years.  The one above has an added ruffle for a fun touch.   Please realize I am not advocating short dresses.  The hemlines can always be lengthened.  Here is a beautiful dress, great colors for fall that has a tea length hemline.

Definitions of the styles of dresses overlap.  The "shift"  also uses 2-3 main pattern pieces but was designed straight  rather than flared.  The "shift" differs from a "sheath" in that the "sheath" is  form fitting and the "shift" is designed to be looser.   Some are called "jiffy" dresses because of  using 2-3 main pattern pieces. The "jiffy" dresses tend to have a slightly A-line skirt. 


Shifts from the Past


Below are some examples from the twenties.  It seems that basic styles are timeless and re-enter the fashion scene  by varying hem lengths, sleeve fit, and necklines.

Shapeless was popular!

These are from the Twenties.

                                              Hemlines were quite a ways below the knee.

The trend for shift dresses took off again in the 60s  and has continued to the present.

Pattern

Jiffy Dress
This is one that I would choose because it has short kimono sleeves, pockets, and a belt.

Another jiffy dress

A few of the current selections for shifts from various sources:

These shifts are simple styles for comfort and work great for summer and early fall wear.

The center dress by adding a longer hemline is close to ideal.  It has sleeves and a nice high neckline with buttons on the shoulder so no zipper is required.  Here is a dress that looks similar and yet stunning.

How many major pattern pieces?  All that are necessary include front, back and sleeves.  You will need a neckline facing and that is it! Some do require zippers.  If the dress has a neckline that is big enough to pull over, try it, just make sure it won't gap when bending over.  There are so many patterns and ideas!

This Dress  looks very comfortable for fall.

Pearl Chambray Shift by Green Bee Designs

Sew Over It

This dress pattern is from Pinterest

This one is quite fitted. Make a muslin to check for comfort.

2-Hour shift dress:  Instructions

Instructions

  The dresses can have a slight flare to them which will make walking easier and look more graceful.  The  variety of fabrics is limitless.  Do not choose too thin or too heavy a fabric.

If you are ready to try one and don't see a pattern you like, use a blouse pattern  ( sample below) that could be extended into a skirt. Try it in muslin or an old sheet first.  As for the width around the hem, use a tape measure and take a step as though you were walking and measure that distance and add a few extra inches to make  a comfortable  width.

Butterick 6175

If you want to add more detail to a shift style here are ideas:

Found on a web site.

AnnTaylor Design

This would look nice with a lower hem and a slight flare to the skirt.

Dress

Yoke with gathered front

This one adds a lot of feminine details with tucks, ruffles,  gathers, and a placket opening.



Another dress that would be a beautiful late summer, early fall dress

Accessories for these dresses would include jewelry, scarves, belts, vests, jackets, and sweaters.
These dresses are the perfect  to wear when the season changes as all you need is a light jacket or a sweater.  It is a very versatile style and can be worn year-round by making them of different weights of fabric for the different seasons.

As for figure specifics check out this site:  Find the Right Shift Dress for Your Figure  There are lots of ideas for what is right for you.

Have some fun and see if this style will work for you as it could add an amazingly useful dress to a minimalist wardrobe!

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
 Father by him.  Colossians 3:17