What Is a Slip Dress?
13 Aug 2024
The slip dress is one of the most original and bold trends of recent years. Periodically it appears on the catwalks in different interpretations. Long gone are the days when girls tried to hide under other closet items delicate lace and smooth silk slip dress. Now things in lingerie style come to the forefront, liberating girls and seducing men.
Slip dresses should be in the closet of every fashionista. Suitable such a dress for any representative of the fair sex, of any age and complexion. If a lady wants to create an interesting and expressive image, this thing will be a win-win solution for her. One of the universal options that is suitable both for a solemn event and for everyday life, is considered a slip dress. Today on sale come models of different lengths and designs. To choose the best option will not be difficult.
What is a slip dress and what is it like? The main thing is to learn how to choose and wear such dresses correctly. Otherwise, it will be thought that you, at least, dressed in a nightgown. To make it easier to avoid mistakes, in this blog, we will give you tips, on what to wear a silk dress in 2024. Let's understand how to choose such a curious product and what it can be worn.
Slip dresses should be in the closet of every fashionista. Suitable such a dress for any representative of the fair sex, of any age and complexion. If a lady wants to create an interesting and expressive image, this thing will be a win-win solution for her. One of the universal options that is suitable both for a solemn event and for everyday life, is considered a slip dress. Today on sale come models of different lengths and designs. To choose the best option will not be difficult.
What is a slip dress and what is it like? The main thing is to learn how to choose and wear such dresses correctly. Otherwise, it will be thought that you, at least, dressed in a nightgown. To make it easier to avoid mistakes, in this blog, we will give you tips, on what to wear a silk dress in 2024. Let's understand how to choose such a curious product and what it can be worn.
What Is a Slip Dress?
A slip, or slip dress was originally a dressy women's shirt, which was usually worn under a dress. Its purpose is to provide a better fit for the dress and emphasize the figure. However, it is worth noting that the combination has undergone a rather impressive fashion evolution: many consider its predecessor to be a corset.
It was considered bad form to let the slip peek out from under the dress, until the 1990s when it became fashionable to wear the combination as a full dress. But in 1993, 19-year-old super model Kate Moss showed up to the Elite's Look of the Year party wearing a combination dress and turned it into an iconic '90s detail. And today, it's hard to imagine a spring/summer closet without it. This trend made a comeback last year.
As a rule, it is a dress on thin straps, sewn from a delicate fabric - straight or on the figure, but light and loose enough that it is almost not felt on the body. Slip dresses are sewn from silk fabrics such as taffeta, tule, and foulard and decorated with openwork bows and lace. Designers and brands have found many interpretations of this outfit, so now it is not only a silk or satin dress in nude or pastel colors - it can be short and long, in bright hues, and with a variety of prints.
In 2024, this is not the first time that the slip dress has become one of the most popular styles. This year it is back in fashion and is suitable for both the warm season and the upcoming fall.
It was considered bad form to let the slip peek out from under the dress, until the 1990s when it became fashionable to wear the combination as a full dress. But in 1993, 19-year-old super model Kate Moss showed up to the Elite's Look of the Year party wearing a combination dress and turned it into an iconic '90s detail. And today, it's hard to imagine a spring/summer closet without it. This trend made a comeback last year.
As a rule, it is a dress on thin straps, sewn from a delicate fabric - straight or on the figure, but light and loose enough that it is almost not felt on the body. Slip dresses are sewn from silk fabrics such as taffeta, tule, and foulard and decorated with openwork bows and lace. Designers and brands have found many interpretations of this outfit, so now it is not only a silk or satin dress in nude or pastel colors - it can be short and long, in bright hues, and with a variety of prints.
In 2024, this is not the first time that the slip dress has become one of the most popular styles. This year it is back in fashion and is suitable for both the warm season and the upcoming fall.
Exploring the History of the Slip Dress
The slip dress has a huge potential. Regardless of the season, designers include it in their collections, each time offering more and more new versions of a familiar closet item. The combination dress is thought to have originated in the 1990s, but its history dates back to the days of Marie Antoinette and Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, who pioneered the idea of wearing lingerie as everyday wear.
The classic slip dress became a symbol of the decade, evoking both nostalgia and a certain unease. Of course, the combination dress appeared much earlier, such as in the 1920s and 1930s, not to mention the 18th century and Marie Antoinette's lingerie style. It was she who laid down the fashion for wearing simple fabric dresses for outdoor activities, which is very similar to modern slip dresses. This, of course, caused public outrage, since such an image had very seductive features. But soon all the fashionistas at court, and then ordinary French women, began to imitate the queen.
Back today, it was in the 90s that this dress became special, iconic, and very fashionable thanks to Helmut Lang and Calvin Klein, who revived this closet item and made it part of the grunge aesthetic.
The most popular fan of the combination dress at the time was Kate Moss, whose lifestyle matched the daring and rebellious nature of these simple but eye-catching dresses. In 1993, she appeared in a completely transparent dress at the annual party organized by the Elite modeling agency.
But not only popular models wore such daring outfits. Every fashionista or style icon of those years appeared from time to time in thin and transparent dresses, making their image simple and neat, as was customary at the time. It is with nostalgia and a smile that I recall Gwyneth Paltrow's stunning appearance at the 1996 Academy Awards in an outfit reminiscent of a nightgown. Natural makeup, natural hair, or, rather, their absence, minimalist jewelry - this image is traditionally used in fashion publications when discussing the iconic decade. They even married: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy brought minimalism to bridal fashion when she married John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1996, wearing a luxurious and simple Narciso Rodriguez gown on the red carpet.
The classic slip dress became a symbol of the decade, evoking both nostalgia and a certain unease. Of course, the combination dress appeared much earlier, such as in the 1920s and 1930s, not to mention the 18th century and Marie Antoinette's lingerie style. It was she who laid down the fashion for wearing simple fabric dresses for outdoor activities, which is very similar to modern slip dresses. This, of course, caused public outrage, since such an image had very seductive features. But soon all the fashionistas at court, and then ordinary French women, began to imitate the queen.
Back today, it was in the 90s that this dress became special, iconic, and very fashionable thanks to Helmut Lang and Calvin Klein, who revived this closet item and made it part of the grunge aesthetic.
The most popular fan of the combination dress at the time was Kate Moss, whose lifestyle matched the daring and rebellious nature of these simple but eye-catching dresses. In 1993, she appeared in a completely transparent dress at the annual party organized by the Elite modeling agency.
But not only popular models wore such daring outfits. Every fashionista or style icon of those years appeared from time to time in thin and transparent dresses, making their image simple and neat, as was customary at the time. It is with nostalgia and a smile that I recall Gwyneth Paltrow's stunning appearance at the 1996 Academy Awards in an outfit reminiscent of a nightgown. Natural makeup, natural hair, or, rather, their absence, minimalist jewelry - this image is traditionally used in fashion publications when discussing the iconic decade. They even married: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy brought minimalism to bridal fashion when she married John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1996, wearing a luxurious and simple Narciso Rodriguez gown on the red carpet.
Choosing the Perfect Slip Dress
Today, the choice of slip dresses is diverse. Designers experiment, creating new types, using retro style, asymmetry, and various kinds of trim. Such a dress can easily adapt to any figure thanks to different cuts and designs. Combination dresses come in:
Silk dresses
This is a classic - most often we are used to seeing combination dresses made of fabric with satin sheen. They are the ones most associated with lingerie style. And "for life" combination dresses are also made of such materials, including natural silk. It looks completely weightless, creating a "nude" effect, even though the dress covers the body. Silk combinations are appealing for this very reason. Plus, they are exceptionally pleasant on the skin, softly "enveloping" it, and this feeling is a real chic, which is why silk is loved.
Satin dresses
Satin is a cotton fabric, but it also has a silky sheen, just a little more subdued, "muted". Thanks to this, satin is often used as a basis for a combination dress. True, this material is denser, "heavier" than silk - it feels different, but it still looks elegant: both in street and evening outfits.
Viscose dresses
We all know this material for its light, airy, flowing dresses and skirts. Its texture and density are also perfect for creating the "moving" silhouette of combination dresses. The fabric glides against the skin and is therefore very pleasant - especially in the hot summer months.
Linen dresses
Linen combinations have also become popular as a summer option. Thanks to this material, such dresses are maximally distanced from the linen style and become more like lightweight sundresses. And this is a big plus for those who find silk models inappropriate in everyday life. In addition to the familiar materials some are used for sewing combinations within the trends. So, recently, dresses of this cut made of leather and suede were actually. The laconic form on thin straps in such a version looks especially effective - in contrast to the more rough and dense materials.
You can also "weight" the impression of the slip dress with the help of velvet texture, which, however, is quite consistent with the lingerie style. And combine it with a festive mood will help sequins - they often decorate the whole dress. In this case, the combination of shimmering, like scales, sequins, and the simple, minimalist form of the dress turns out harmonious - everything is in balance.
Maxi slip dresses
Often you can meet dresses-combination on the floor - the hem almost reaches its level or even lies freely on the ground, and in motion "stretches" behind each step. With such a small plume combination easily turns into a real evening dress and even in the most restrained design looks in the full sense of the word luxurious.
Asymmetrical slip dresses
When asymmetry appears in the design of the combination dress, this thing acquires shades of boho style. The hem, which in some places is higher and in some places lower, draws attention to the figure and silhouette to a lesser extent; it easily flutters and brings dynamics to the image, as well as a sense of freedom. And in general, models with asymmetric cuts look original - both separately and in layered outfits, in which they will be just right.
Mini slip dresses
But the mini slip dresses are a more casual and even playful version of the already classic dress. The length, contrary to expectations, most often does not make it more frank. On the contrary, mini combinations look more appropriate in street style - unlike maxi length, which is associated with evening dresses.
And the mini also opens up opportunities for experimenting with the bottom - with shoes. You can create unusual combinations not only with ballet flats, sandals, and shoes, but also, for example, with leather shoes or boots - in this case, you will get a bright effect of contrast between thin fabric and high, visually more "rough" shoes.
Silk dresses
This is a classic - most often we are used to seeing combination dresses made of fabric with satin sheen. They are the ones most associated with lingerie style. And "for life" combination dresses are also made of such materials, including natural silk. It looks completely weightless, creating a "nude" effect, even though the dress covers the body. Silk combinations are appealing for this very reason. Plus, they are exceptionally pleasant on the skin, softly "enveloping" it, and this feeling is a real chic, which is why silk is loved.
Satin dresses
Satin is a cotton fabric, but it also has a silky sheen, just a little more subdued, "muted". Thanks to this, satin is often used as a basis for a combination dress. True, this material is denser, "heavier" than silk - it feels different, but it still looks elegant: both in street and evening outfits.
Viscose dresses
We all know this material for its light, airy, flowing dresses and skirts. Its texture and density are also perfect for creating the "moving" silhouette of combination dresses. The fabric glides against the skin and is therefore very pleasant - especially in the hot summer months.
Linen dresses
Linen combinations have also become popular as a summer option. Thanks to this material, such dresses are maximally distanced from the linen style and become more like lightweight sundresses. And this is a big plus for those who find silk models inappropriate in everyday life. In addition to the familiar materials some are used for sewing combinations within the trends. So, recently, dresses of this cut made of leather and suede were actually. The laconic form on thin straps in such a version looks especially effective - in contrast to the more rough and dense materials.
You can also "weight" the impression of the slip dress with the help of velvet texture, which, however, is quite consistent with the lingerie style. And combine it with a festive mood will help sequins - they often decorate the whole dress. In this case, the combination of shimmering, like scales, sequins, and the simple, minimalist form of the dress turns out harmonious - everything is in balance.
Maxi slip dresses
Often you can meet dresses-combination on the floor - the hem almost reaches its level or even lies freely on the ground, and in motion "stretches" behind each step. With such a small plume combination easily turns into a real evening dress and even in the most restrained design looks in the full sense of the word luxurious.
Asymmetrical slip dresses
When asymmetry appears in the design of the combination dress, this thing acquires shades of boho style. The hem, which in some places is higher and in some places lower, draws attention to the figure and silhouette to a lesser extent; it easily flutters and brings dynamics to the image, as well as a sense of freedom. And in general, models with asymmetric cuts look original - both separately and in layered outfits, in which they will be just right.
Mini slip dresses
But the mini slip dresses are a more casual and even playful version of the already classic dress. The length, contrary to expectations, most often does not make it more frank. On the contrary, mini combinations look more appropriate in street style - unlike maxi length, which is associated with evening dresses.
And the mini also opens up opportunities for experimenting with the bottom - with shoes. You can create unusual combinations not only with ballet flats, sandals, and shoes, but also, for example, with leather shoes or boots - in this case, you will get a bright effect of contrast between thin fabric and high, visually more "rough" shoes.
How to Wear a Slip Dress?
The combination dress is now a closet item in its own right. Seductive, feminine, and always up-to-date - a combination dress can be an ideal option for both an ordinary date and a gala event, and the stars know it very well. Many Hollywood beauties willingly try on the finest silk dresses in lingerie style and cause rapturous looks. However, it should be remembered that this closet item is very insidious: it emphasizes femininity, makes the image spicy, but at the same time ruthlessly gives away all the nuances of the figure. We have collected useful recommendations that will help you make a choice - about what to wear in a slip dress so that it is beautiful, stylish, and comfortable.
With a cardigan
Now the trend is a combination of thin fabrics with satin shine and knitted knitwear. Therefore, you can safely "layer" on the dresses with the cardigan. And the options of combinations can be very different: long over-size models of large knitting with relief patterns, and shortened cardigans, as well as very thin casual models with several small buttons under the throat, are suitable for the dress. A cardigan will make the image with a slip dress a little closer, so you can wear it, for example, to a summer dinner with friends or a walk around the city without any shyness.
With a turtleneck
To "ground" the outfit, making it more casual, put on a slip dress over a turtleneck. Such a combination will pass even the strictest office dress code, especially if you pick things of monochromatic shades (for example, a graphite turtleneck and a black dress or vice versa). The set can be complemented with rough boots or knee-high boots.
Going on an evening date or meeting with friends, play on the contrast with the look: let the combination be emerald shade and turtleneck - pastel. As for shoes here, it is better to choose sandals with thin straps.
During spring and summer, they recommend wearing these dresses on the bare body and combining them with sandals or sneakers, if it is a casual outfit, and for the evening look to pair it with sandals or high-heeled shoes. If it's not very hot, they suggest wearing a T-shirt or a tight top underneath. It is worth noting that many style icons choose a combination dress for different events. For example, Victoria Beckham loves this silhouette: she includes it in her fashion brand collections and wears it herself.
With a cardigan
Now the trend is a combination of thin fabrics with satin shine and knitted knitwear. Therefore, you can safely "layer" on the dresses with the cardigan. And the options of combinations can be very different: long over-size models of large knitting with relief patterns, and shortened cardigans, as well as very thin casual models with several small buttons under the throat, are suitable for the dress. A cardigan will make the image with a slip dress a little closer, so you can wear it, for example, to a summer dinner with friends or a walk around the city without any shyness.
With a turtleneck
To "ground" the outfit, making it more casual, put on a slip dress over a turtleneck. Such a combination will pass even the strictest office dress code, especially if you pick things of monochromatic shades (for example, a graphite turtleneck and a black dress or vice versa). The set can be complemented with rough boots or knee-high boots.
Going on an evening date or meeting with friends, play on the contrast with the look: let the combination be emerald shade and turtleneck - pastel. As for shoes here, it is better to choose sandals with thin straps.
During spring and summer, they recommend wearing these dresses on the bare body and combining them with sandals or sneakers, if it is a casual outfit, and for the evening look to pair it with sandals or high-heeled shoes. If it's not very hot, they suggest wearing a T-shirt or a tight top underneath. It is worth noting that many style icons choose a combination dress for different events. For example, Victoria Beckham loves this silhouette: she includes it in her fashion brand collections and wears it herself.
previous post
