This is one classy dress!

STYLE QUOTIENT

You could tweak a Shift depending on the occasion. It can be converted into anything from a simple day wear to a party outfit.

You’d wonder what a Shift looks like. It is a simple, one piece, above the knee dress. The silhouette of the Shift is such that it has a snug fit around the bust and no definition at the waist.

Metrolife spoke to designer Anjali Sharma and asked her to share with us ways to style a Shift.   Asked if the Shift was an alien concept in India, Anjali explains that the Shift is no stranger to the world of fashion in India, “It is just that it is never called by its technical name. Bollywood in the 60s was thriving on this silhouette with the top leading actresses wearing their Shift kurtas with churidars, albeit a little tight at the waist,” Anjali observes.

Taking more about the Shift, Anjali says that it is a classic silhouette that can be dressed up or down. “The fabric could be very dressy or embellished to have a dressy Shift with coordinated accessories. Or if the dress is simple, a nice neckpiece and the right shoes could get you through a work meeting or a slightly high end lunch,” suggests Anjali.

While the West wears a Shift as a dress, paired with the right footwear and a coordinated clutch or even a tote, people in India go a step further with Shifts. “Besides wearing it as a one piece, one can make it very Indian figure friendly by just changing the length to slightly longer and teaming it up with churidars, pair of pants or even cigarette pants,” says Anjali. She thinks the outfit would look great with a stole. Beautiful jewellery and footwear make this a perfect dressy traditional wear.

Jewellery definitely enhances a Shift and Anjali observes that longer neckpieces and ear studs make the wearer visually appealing. About footwear, Anjali feels a pair of stilettoes would be great for a stylish dressy look. “Flats work well on a casual day out. The Greek thongs are a great alternative for someone with leaner legs,” she sums up.

Shifting it right

* Classic little black sleeveless Shift with beautiful footwear for a cocktail.
* Funky cotton printed short shift, tote and flats with minimal jewellery for lunch.
* Sheer printed Shift over a bikini on the beach.
* Fitted embroidered crystal and beads fabric shift with a pair of sheer crush churidars and a heavy stole for a party.