Kate Sylvester's sweater dress cut a dash at Fashion Week.

Kate Sylvester's sweater dress cut a dash at Fashion Week.

Enough with the frilly baby dolls, the busty empire lines, flirty disco wraps, the bows, the frills and the dressing up box. It's time for dresses to grow up.

The frock has been a firm wardrobe favourite everywhere for the past few seasons. Fashion writers have extolled its virtues saying it's a one-piece wonder.

But many of the little numbers they were talking about had distinctly child-like undertones. Blame it on a boho hangover but some of those cute little baby doll dresses were never going to rock a grown-up party.

This coming season, however, the one-piece wonder seems to have matured.

The shapes arriving in stores next month are more about shape, subtle colour, good cutting and good design. Enough with the flouncing froth, pinafores and girlie sundresses - we're talking shifts, smocks and clingy sweater dresses alongside artistic and interesting experiments in proportion and shape.

For those who are reluctant to bid farewell to the baby-doll shape do not fear.

There's something for every body type among the new season's dresses.

THE SHIFT

Also known as a tunic dress. Easily the most wearable of the new batch of dress shapes, because, if it's well-cut and skims the figure perfectly - you'll need to try a few on - a shift or smock can be just as flattering as a baby-doll or empire-line silhouette. It's just that it looks like you're a classy wench off to an urban art gallery opening rather than a beach party on the set of The O.C.

There are lots of different kinds - from what looks like an over-sized V-neck jumper to cute, printed T-shirt dresses to shortened shirt waisters to more of a fitted 60s mini-dress. In keeping with the fashion directions that are hoisting skirts higher, the hemline is usually around mid-thigh or further up.

The shift dress is also highly adaptable. If you want to continue looking girlish and flirty throughout summer, wear it with bare legs or leggings and your shoe of choice. Everything from heels to sandals to ballet flats would do. But if, later on, you're feeling the cold, your age or the weight of prying eyes on your short, white legs, then chuck it on over long sleeves, jeans or thick tights. And for anyone who's despaired of ever getting into the skinny pants that have been so trendy lately, then a soft or fitted shift dress of some sort is perfect.

The key to the shift dress - and indeed, any outfit - is achieving balance. A high hemline with bare or dark, colour-clad legs and arms, elevated heels and a belt or other sort of sash around the middle or just under the bust like a DIY empire line are all potential methods of evening up the silhouette.