Seeking the Sublime Shift

Michelle Dockery in silk Miu Miu at the Venice Film Festival 2013.

These are the desired features for my ideal shift dress pattern:

• boat-neck or shallow scoop

• one piece, subtle flare

• button closure, if any, eliminating the need for a zip

• center back seam for shaping

• full, ¾, or half length sleeves with some kind of wrist treatment, placket or gathering

• long for possible belting or just above knee

New Look 6145 is the pattern I will use and possibly adapt to create my dress. Patternreview.com shows great reviews.

Here is the fabric for the very first one, a silky (but maybe too shiny) polyester gained from that wonderful DC, VA, MD swap. I'm not sure if it has enough body for what I have in mind. But luckily, no pattern matching can possibly be expected, right?

Here are a few examples I admire:

Clockwise from top left: Lobelia, Christine Phung, and J. Crew

So, are there any design options I should take advantage of like gathers at the yoke similar to the Miu Miu, gathered bishop sleeves (see both below), or the straight 3/4 sleeves of the pattern? Should I make it easy on myself* or shake it up a little?

Eileen Fisher shift dress with neckline, shoulder, and cuff details.

*Why start now, you ask?!