Friday Fashion History 101

Every Friday we are going to have a little fashion history lesson.  If we want to be lovers of all things fashion we need to know where it started...today is the history of the Shift verses Sheath dress


SHEATH  DRESS-Figure-hugging dress, usually with long sleeves, which  has a tight, straight, ankle-lenght skirt.  It was popularized by film actresses of the 1930s .  The 1950s version was often made with a kick pleat back, Designer Norman Norell was remember for his sequin-covered sheath dresses.

 SHIFT DRESS-Also known as a tank dress. The 19th century shift was linen chemise smocked at the shoulders for fullness. Its simple shape was adopted as nightwear and by agricultural workers.  The word shift describes a simple, unstructured dress which opens at the front and which was popular in various lengths in the 1950s and 1960s.

 Images courtesy google

Fashion and Fashion Designers Thames & Hudson world of Art

With Love From the East Coast,
XO