STYLING YOUR SHIFT DRESS
When you try on a shift dress, you have to imagine the full power accessories can have! While shift dresses are in fact boxy, wearing it alone or layered has the potential to perform as professional work attire or demure for those casual day-to-day looks. We have styled 5 functional shift dresses for tips on achieving both casual and work/night outfits! We've even included how the MAD Team would wear their shift dresses incorporating all our individual style into this trend!
Layering is your best friend when your task is turning a dress into a casual outfit...and the 2 things most people have within arms reach is a denim or leather jacket! For those cooler temps or evenings these are your go-to's, and if the suns out opt for a vest. Any denim or leather, even a cardigan will tone down the any girly vibes and replace it with an easy going feel!
Since most shift dresses will likely have a print a belt is also a perfect way to break up the wild patterns and dress it down! (not to mention giving you more shape at the waist) For summer keep it light with neutrals like nude, brown or even a trend colour like a coral to mix into your accessories/shoes (flats for these casual looks).
(Get The Look: Left- Dress here / Cross body here Right- Dress here / Jacket available in store)
For the working gal a shift dress is ideal for office appropriate coverage that allows you to maintain a fashion forward and feminine look. Since blazers are a no brainer at the office, try layering a fun printed shift dress underneath to add a punch to your workplace attire! The shapelessness of the shift dress will need the structure of a blazer when dressing it up (which also will tone down the print) and to complete this look adding heels is the finishing touch.
Accessories are also key to kicking it up a formal notch! A great statement necklace is a must, and when looking for the perfect accessory opt for a bold style when working with a solid coloured frock (your options are limitless) and If it has a bold print, stick to solid gold/silver jewels or even a solid colour to allow your necklace to pop off the pattern.
(Get the Look: Left- dress available here / blazer here Middle- dress here / necklace s/o Right- dress available in store / necklace here and here)
"I hardly wear dresses...but fell in love with the print of our Everly shift dress and had to have it! This is where personal style comes in. To take away from it not only being a dress but it also being girly with the pink tones I styled our ivory poncho from Fall 2012 and (Sam Edelman) ankle fringe booties. Very boho and non-chalant, my ideal combo!"
- Jen Boulet
(shift dress available in store or online here)
"I was immediately drawn to this large floral print shift dress debuting in our Spring 2013 collection! I'm definitely not a fan of sleeves, especially come summer which is why when I found an alternative to a denim vest (or jacket) like this military style one, I was thrilled! It dresses it down and when paired with my gladiator sandals completes my easy-going, effortless style."
- Taylor Morrow
"It's no surprise here that I'm a huge connoisseur when it comes to shift dresses! My most recent addition to my collection is this ombre black and white striped printed one that will forever be a classic in my wardrobe! At work I wear this without the jacket (since it has a nice sleeve) and add a statement necklace to pull it together, simple and chic. To take into the night, I would layer my favourite new moto jacket from F21 and a great red lip!"
- Nicola
Happy Styling,
MAD Team
Accessories are also key to kicking it up a formal notch! A great statement necklace is a must, and when looking for the perfect accessory opt for a bold style when working with a solid coloured frock (your options are limitless) and If it has a bold print, stick to solid gold/silver jewels or even a solid colour to allow your necklace to pop off the pattern.
(Get the Look: Left- dress available here / blazer here Middle- dress here / necklace s/o Right- dress available in store / necklace here and here)
"I hardly wear dresses...but fell in love with the print of our Everly shift dress and had to have it! This is where personal style comes in. To take away from it not only being a dress but it also being girly with the pink tones I styled our ivory poncho from Fall 2012 and (Sam Edelman) ankle fringe booties. Very boho and non-chalant, my ideal combo!"
- Jen Boulet
(shift dress available in store or online here)
"I was immediately drawn to this large floral print shift dress debuting in our Spring 2013 collection! I'm definitely not a fan of sleeves, especially come summer which is why when I found an alternative to a denim vest (or jacket) like this military style one, I was thrilled! It dresses it down and when paired with my gladiator sandals completes my easy-going, effortless style."
- Taylor Morrow
"It's no surprise here that I'm a huge connoisseur when it comes to shift dresses! My most recent addition to my collection is this ombre black and white striped printed one that will forever be a classic in my wardrobe! At work I wear this without the jacket (since it has a nice sleeve) and add a statement necklace to pull it together, simple and chic. To take into the night, I would layer my favourite new moto jacket from F21 and a great red lip!"
- Nicola
Happy Styling,
MAD Team
