Shift Dresses: The Perfect Style for Every Women

Finding the perfect dress can be a daunting task: with endless options how to pick the right silhouette, color, and fabric? We spoke to Nikki Pennie, celebrity stylist and style council member for David's Bridal, who told us the shift dress is universally flattering on ladies of all ages, shapes, and sizes. "The shift dress is so timeless and classic," says Pennie, who thinks Jackie Onassis put the style on the map. "If you get the right one it should skim your body and cleverly hide the parts you don't want to emphasize like the waist, hips, or bum. The stiffness doesn't grab your body the way other styles do. Instead it gives that vertical line that accentuates any figure and makes you feel comfortable." Not only is the shift dress universally flattering, Pennie says it's a no-brainer for any occasion. "If you have an office job it's something you can wear to work with flats and then to a dinner with heels and a jacket. And you can just as easily wear it with girlfriends on a weekend." We got Pennie's tips on selecting the best shift dresses and how to style them. Read on to find your perfect match. By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor