The Class Shift Dress

The Classic Shift Dress



From Fashion Tips UK:
Tips On How To Choose The Right Shift Dress For You

Many of you will have seen the picture of Sarah Jessica Parker dressed in a Giambattista Valli pale blush shift dress at a gala in Manhatten (see picture courtesy of In Style and Getty Images). I thought this was certainly a more understated look for SJP, but loved it all the same, simply because of its simplicity and style. Shift dresses are the perfect "easy" way to dress, whether it's going out to a party or simply for everyday work as they are just to simple, flattering and downright elegant when dressed up the way SJP has it going on. If you are looking for a simple, but flattering dress here are some guidelines on what to look for.
What To Look For In A Shift Dress

As the shift dress is very simple in design, it is worth spending more on this type of garment, as any mistakes in the dressmaking will show up immediately. Good quality seams and cut are very important.
Many shift dresses are sleeveless (think of pictures of 60s icons such as Twiggy who made the dress style famous at that time). Sleeveless styles tend to hang very well and look really stylish. A sleeveless shift dress can be worn over another top, such as a turtleneck in a contrasting colour, and teamed up with high heeled knee boots will look fantastic.
Think of black or dark red dresses for parties, a simple shift dress with either short sleeves or sleeveless dressed up with diamante or silver jewellery will look stunning for a party. Look for versions in black with lace sleeves for the latest gothic look too.
With footless or opaque tights and leggings you can get away with amazingly short shift dresses - and remember that wearing black tights is fantastically slimming for legs - see the article on dressing to be slim.
What are your favourite dresses of the moment - let us know if you have seen anything great as we've all got Christmas parties to look fantastic at soon!

(http://www.fashion-tips.co.uk)

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COURSE HIGHLIGHT
The must-have item of the moment is the classic shift dress that every"body" can wear. A beginner such as yourself, will create this simple, stylist dress inspired by American designer Calvin Klein, although variations have been seen on fashion runways around the world. You can decide to make that "little black dress" you've been looking for or maybe you'll make it in your favorite color.
LEARN
Sewing-machine basics.
The names and uses of common sewing tools and terms.
How to sew a straight line and curved line using a seam guide.
How to measure yourself.
How to lay, mark, and cut fabric.
How to read and alter a commercial pattern for a perfect fit and much more...

Fashion and Social Justice

Fashion and social justice. Those two things don't seem to connect. However, in LA and all over the world, fighting for human rights, social justice, and the good of this world are becoming a widespread epidemic, for the better. Fashion lovers and shoppers can now donate part of their shopping spree money to non- profit organizations. Companies such as TOMS are doing good by donating a pair of new shoes to a child for each pair WE purchase. So WE can really make a difference in this world.

TOMS STORY:

"In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers". http://www.tomsshoes.com/

To think that Blake was an ordinary American traveling in another country and yet, he was so moved to create his own company, for the good of children. This leads me to believe that we can all make a difference if we have the motivation to move beyond seeing the need to doing something about it.

I am a volunteer Wardrobe Stylist for an event called Freedom and Fashion Fashion Show. It will be held at UCLA on November 19, 2009. This event seeks to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking and other awful inequalities and injustice in this world. Please jot this date down!