The Sixties Shift

 

Back in the early 60s the simple shift dress represented a joyful leap away from the matronly everyday designs of the late 1950s. Slightly flared shift and tubular lines that finished mid-thigh were easy to wear and looked refreshingly young. Designers responsible for getting the 60s shift ‘swinging’ include the likes of Mary Quant, Pierre Cardin, Andre Courreges and Biba.

 

 

 

 

The 60s reflected a brand new attitude to fashion, ready-to-wear clothes designed by the young for the young. Along with fuss-free shapes and leg revealing hemlines 60s designers experimented with new materials such as PVC, Tricel and polyester. Teamed up with colourful opaques and the minimum of jewellery the 60s shift was fresh and playful.

 

 

Zoom forward to Spring/Summer 2006 and while you may not see an obvious reference to the 60s you will find plenty of dresses inspired by the shift shape. After seasons of loading on the embellishments and styling details designers have decided that simple and clean is the way to go. For shift shape inspiration check out the latest Spring/Summer 06 collections by -Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Eley Kishimoto, Cacharel and Betsey Johnson. You’ll notice that those hemlines are starting to creep up too.

 

 

 

 

The dress is poised to be huge for 2006 and if the shape isn’t shift then other popular key styles include – Empire line, A-line, halterneck, baby doll, trapeze, smock, shirt dresses, strapless, wrap, prom & floor length evening gowns.

 

For dress-and-go style think frocks this spring.

 

 

 

By JoJo Iles