Shifty Business...

Rosario Dawson arrives at the 22nd Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards held at Santa Monica Beach in February in Santa Monica, California.

Kerry Washington looking cute ‘n’ flirty in her silk shift.

Nia Long attending the 17th Annual NAACP Theater Awards earlier this year.

Paula Patton arriving at the 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium last month in Pasadena, California.

Tracee Ellis Ross at the Katy Rodriguez Celebration of her Eponymous Collection.

Take a cue from these ladies and shift into gear with the must-have dress du jour. A throw-back from the sixties, the shift dress is a classic style that shows no signs of disappearing. If you’re worried about looking too retro in a shift, pick a fabric with a futuristic twist like Paula Patton or try something a little more eclectic like Tracee Ellis Ross. Remember that the shift dress was made for the clutch purse, so give it what it deserves!

Note: See Christina Milian in the DVF dress that Forever 21 duplicated here.