FASHION INDUSTRY DICTIONARY

Define Shift.

A basic dress style that has simple, straight lines and does not fit close to the body. Very popular in the 1960's and in other periods when unfitted styles were popular. One innovation in this style in the 1960's was the incorporation of a diagonal dart running from the side seam to the bustline.

In comparison, a sheath is a simple, straight, but fitted dress in which vertical darts, bust darts, and shaping from side seams provide the fit.