Have you ever purchased a shift dress only to realize that it made you look frumpy or maybe even pregnant? Shift dresses can be tricky, yet they're supposed to be versatile for all body types. For petite women who already look small, shift dresses can easily engulf them and make them look like children who are playing dress-up out of mom's closet. It's not exactly how I want to look for work or play as a 20-something year old. However styling a shift dress with a simple belt can easily fix it as it adds some curves back into the shape of the dress.
Right below are some photos of an old shift dress ($20 from Tommy Hilfiger) I purchased and thought of throwing it in the donate pile but eventually changed my mind!
Right below are some photos of an old shift dress ($20 from Tommy Hilfiger) I purchased and thought of throwing it in the donate pile but eventually changed my mind!
Before Styling:
The before photos are pretty convincing as maternity wear. However, using a belt to add some definition into the waist will quickly change that! I used a J Crew belt that I purchased from their recent clearance for $20 and tied a pretzel knot to shorten up the end. To ensure the dress will not look frumpy, pull the extra cloth towards the back of the dress after belting. Doing this will make the dress look more size-appropriate in the front and add a decent (but not overwhelming) ruffle effect towards the back.
After Styling:
Keep in mind that different belt sizes and colors will work better on some dresses over others. Have fun and play around until you land at the right combination! I tried a second belt here that would better blend into the dress compared to the first one.
Which combination do you prefer? The first or the second one?
Outfit Details:
| Dress- Tommy Hilfiger | Black Belt- J Crew | Greyish Belt- J Crew |