SHOP LILLY PULITZER FIND A STORE
Resort 365
  • Style Tips
  • Travel
  • Gifts & Entertainment
  • Prints
  • Lilly News
SHOP LILLY PULITZER FIND A STORE
Style Tips

How to Wear a Shift Dress: Style Tips

September 5, 2017
How to Wear a Shift Dress: Style Tips

As we gear up to celebrate 60 years of Lilly Pulitzer next year, let’s take a moment to bring it back to where it all began: the Shift Dress. A Lilly girl’s wardrobe staple, and the style that launched irreverent American Resort Wear. While we have endless new styles today, we will always hold a special place in our heart (and our closet) for the one that started it all.

History of the Shift Dress

The shift dress, from its rise to its revival is synonymous with rebellion and nonconformity. First worn by flappers in the 1920s, the shift was a woman’s answer to a comfortable look to dance the night away. Embellished with fringe and fun decorations, the shift had character and creativity. 

In the 1960s, Lilly Pulitzer revived the shift in a BIG way. Tired of the stuffy styles worn by socialites at the time, Lilly tasked her dressmaker with creating comfortable, chic shifts with a twist — PRINT. The bold and bright prints would oh-so-sneakily hide the orange juice stains on her clothes, and the easy straight style of the shift would be comfortable for those loooong days spent at the juice stand. It was a win-win! From there, the shift EXPLODED onto the Palm Beach scene, and her friends were SOLD. The shift was liberated luxury, and women couldn’t get enough. Lilly Pulitzer was in business. 

It was clear that the shift was here to stay when Jackie Kennedy, First Lady and BFF to Lilly was photographed sporting the style. From there, the Lilly dress went viral, growing to be an American Resort classic. Lilly had started a revolution.

Rose and Kathleen Kennedy
Rose Kennedy (right) and granddaughter Kathleen.
Junie Shift in true navy

Junie Shift Dress in True Navy

What is a Shift Dress

The classic shift dress is sleeveless, collarless, and ever-so-slightly skims the body. The straight style is structured, yet mobile. Feel free to move and groove in your shift dress – you’ll be totally comfortable. The Lilly shift today comes in countless shapes and styles, from print, to solid, to v-neck, to scoop neck, to lace, tassels, ties, and SO much more. There’s a shift for EVERY Lilly girl.

Shop Shift Dresses ►

Shift 101: A How-To

What’s great about the shift is the ability to dress it up and down to suit any occasion. Here are some of our favorite shift-worthy moments: 

Shop for Wedding Season

Wedding Season

A shift dress is your answer to a versatile look for surviving (and thriving) during wedding season. Be bold and rock print for a summer outdoor wedding, or stick with a solid for a dress that’s sure to fit every festivity.

Shop for Rehersal Dinner

Rehearsal Dinner

Searching for the perfect rehearsal dinner dress that’s simple, timeless, and most importantly, comfy — because we know those long hours of entertaining in-laws are no joke — look no further than a simple Resort White shift dress. Wear lace for a bit of vintage elegance, or stick with cotton for those sticky summer nights.

Shop for Happy Hour

Happy Hour

Cocktails al fresco call for a style that’s going to make a statement. We love a printed shift that stops traffic and turns heads, because a Lilly girl is the life of the party.

Styling a Shift: The Finishing Touches

shift ensemble is NEVER complete without a few glamorous goodies and accessories. Here’s how we like to top off our shift style:

Shop Cardigans

Shop Cardigans ►

A Cardigan for Chillier Days

When the breeze is blowing, we call on a cashmere cardigan to keep us cozy and warm when we’re sporting a shift. We love a simple and crisp Resort White, but when we’re feeling bright, we opt for a pop of pink or blue to complete our look.

Shop Gold

Shop Gold Shop ►

Gold, Gold, GOLD

There’s no better way to glam up an outfit than with gold statement jewelry. From earrings, to a necklace, to an armful of bangles, gold adds that hint of elegance to your shift ensemble.

Shop Accessories

Shop Accessories ►

Sunglasses and a Hat, Because we are Made in the Shade

For those days spent soaking up the sun, we love a pair of oversized sunglasses and a sun hat if we’re feeling extra shady. A Lilly girl is a sunseeker at heart — so don’t forget the sunscreen.

Shop Shift Dresses ►
dressesoutfit ideasshift dress

Previous Post
Next Post

Follow LIlly

Instagram

  • Yes. Way. We recently launched our newest golf collection 🏌️‍♀️ Click the #LinkInProfile to shop now and receive a set of three golf balls with any $75 spend. #Lilly5x5

Search

Lilly Pulitzer

It all started with a juice stand…
When 21-year old Lilly eloped with Peter Pulitzer, they escaped the hustle and bustle of New York City for the sun and sand of Palm Beach

In the shadow of Peter's citrus groves, Lilly opened a juice stand. To disguise the juice stains on her clothing, she had a sleeveless dress made from colorfully-printed cotton.

Instagram

  • Yes. Way. We recently launched our newest golf collection 🏌️‍♀️ Click the #LinkInProfile to shop now and receive a set of three golf balls with any $75 spend. #Lilly5x5
  • Golf styles that work on and off the course. Tap to shop now and receive gifts with your purchase.
  • Spring (break) styles are in full bloom. Meet the Clary Polo dress. Bonus: Shop now in the #LinkInProfile and receive presents with your purchase.  #lillypulitzer
  • Have you heard? Lilly Pulitzer polos are BACK. Shop them now in the #LinkInProfile and receive presents with your purchase. #lillypulitzer
  • Receive a set of two towels with any $500 spend & get ready for sun-soaked adventures ☀️ #LinkInProfile to shop now. #lillypulitzer
  • Our newest print, “Sway this Way” was painted by our print artists during a watercolor workshop. The surrounding elements of tiger lillies, pansies, frogs and fish, created the perfect print for our swim and golf styles. #LinkInProfile to shop now and receive free presents with your purchase.
  • Gifts that are a hole in one. Shop and receive presents with your purchase, including a set of three golf balls with any $75 spend. #LinkInProfile
  • We just changed the game. Introducing...GOLF. Shop our Resort Sport new arrivals in the #LinkInProfile now. Bonus: We are giving you presents with your purchase. Shop and receive a set of three golf balls with any $75 spend. #LinkInProfile to see the rest of the gifts. #lillypulitzer
  • Happy Valentine's Day 💕 #Lilly5x5

More Lilly

  • SHOP LILLY PULITZER
  • FIND A STORE
  • DOWNLOAD THE APP
  • CONTACT US

Get Sunshine in Your Inbox

Email Sign-Up