Blurring the lines between underwear and outwear, the slip dress is the unexpected style statement that has solidified its place in fashion history.
Princess Diana wore a navy slip dress by Dior – John Galliano’s debut creation for the label – to the 1996 Met Gala, a glorious fashion decision that almost never came to pass for fear of embarrassing her 14-year-old son, William.
Now, the legendary and oh-so 90s outfit is just one of many iconic slip dress moments that took us from 20th to 21st century fashion. Indeed, wearing a slip as a ‘going-out-out’ dress is the kind modern style choice that sends grandmas absolutely haywire. Often provoking a similar reaction to the distressed clothing trend – “can’t I just sew that up for you?” – wearing a slip dress as anything other than an undergarment or sleepwear is a relatively new concept.
The first iterations of what we now recognise as a modern slip existed as far back as the Middle Ages. Loose-fitting and lightweight garments known as smocks or chemises were worn by both men and women underneath clothing. After shedding their day-to-day garb, people would wear that same undergarment straight to bed, wake up, and wear it all over again. Très fresh.
It was with Marie Antoinette, however, that the fine line between underwear and outerwear was plucked like a guitar string – sending mixed vibrations out of Versailles and into the populace. Monarchs had an overwhelmingly powerful influence over fashion, not least due to the existence of sumptuary spending laws up until the French Revolution.
Yet when Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun painted a portrait of the queen in nothing but her chemise à la reine (1783), the Court was outraged. Though considrered acceptable to wear just a chemise around close friends and other women, presenting a member of the royal court in an ‘exposed’ manner was simply unnaceptable – no matter how pretty the pastoral scene.
Underwear as outwear was not deemed socially acceptable for hundreds of years after that, however continued to indirectly influence women’s fashion. The neo-classical, Jane-Austen style of dress became popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Empire-waist frocks were lighter, more practical, simply cut and often fashioned with nothing more than a sash at the waist.
Fastforward another few hundred years and women’s fashion has become increasingly liberated. The slip dress is designed to be provocative. It’s supposed to look like a garment that we shouldn’t be able to see, its often lace-clad frame and spaghetti straps exemplify this notion.
The moment in 1993 when Kate Moss wore an entirely sheer, metallic slip dress by Liza Bruce – there was yet another groundbreaking shift. Nude fashion wasn’t entirely unseen, but the sheer confidence with which Moss fashioned the frock was seismic for women across the globe.
Wear it to dinner, the club or the pub; with Chelsea boots, ballet pumps or stillettos; with bed-hair or a freshly blow-dried ‘do – for the slip dress is an endlessly versatile piece.
Keep scrolling for a round-up of the best slip dresses to shop right now.
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Provence Silk Dress
With the velvet version of this silk number already seen on the likes Taylor Swift, you can be sure the bias cut, lace-trimmed slip silhouette is cetainly in vogue. Slim fitting with a peakaboo centre-back cutout, this romantic dress can be dressed up with a pair of heels, or dressed down with a plain white tee underneath.
Buy now £300.00, Reformation
Love Triangle Pink Moonlit Lace Slip Dress
In the prettiest of dusty rose pinks, this mini lace slip dress boasts a deep V-neck, A-line skirt and nothced hem. We’re particlarly big fans of the cut-out, strappy back which elevates this slip from nightwear to outerwear. It is made rom 95 per cent polyester and 5 per cent elastane for a silky finish, and can be popped straight in the wash for easy re-wear.
Buy now £45.00, Urban Outfitters
St. Agni 90s Sheer Slip Dress – Castor Grey
Kate Moss, who? Turn heads just like Ms Moss did back in 1993 with this sheer, castor grey slip dress. Though not as metallic as the model’s infamous fashion moment, you’ll still shine in this piece wherever you go. Constructed from a semi-sheer silk and cotton blend, this bias-cut dress falls beautifully, sculpting the body with every crease and fold.
Buy now £209.83, St. Agni
Zadig & Voltaire Paisley Print Woven Maxi Dress
For a flowy slip dress with a bohemian feel, look no further than Zadig & Voltaire. Known for seasonal prints and lacey, silky styles with a rockstar twist, the Parisian designer is a go-to for effortless sex-appeal. This paisley woven maxi dress has spaghetti straps, a plunging lace-trimmed neckline and a hankerchief-esque, asymmetric hem. The 100 per cent viscose fabrication means that this dress slides on and off with the utmost ease.
Buy now £280.00, Selfridges
Right This Way Bias Slip
Featuring a empire-cut silhouette which might be considered a nod to Regency style, this flattering and super strappy slip from Free People’s Intimately range gives us the perfect balance between curve-hugging sultriness and flowing, comfortable freedom.
Buy now £78.00, Free People
Vince Pink V-Neck Maxi Dress
Pearl nectar is certainly a fitting name for the colour of this gorgeous slip dress from Vince. Fashioned in a hue similar to the pearlescent shades found within Botticelli’s Venus – you’ll look just like a goddess in this barely-there frock. We love the lack of spaghetti straps on this A-line maxi, as it provides ample coverage for an ever-so slightly more modest look.
Buy now £425.00, Vince
Maysen Silk Dress
Whether worn as a romantic getting-ready dress in the bridal suite, as newly-wed lingerie or simply as a sensual summer party dress – there’s not much this beautiful slip from Reformation can’t do. The plunging, ruched neckline is adorned with the most delicate lace, while the ultra-thin straps cross over to meet at a dropped-back.
Buy now £498.00, Reformation
Satin slip dress
Simple, fitted and 100 per cent viscose – we love the simple cut of this satin slip dress from H&M, which is available in a myriad of colours. Style it with a lightweight knit cardigan and a pair of mules for those breezy spring days, and shrug off your cover-up to take the town by storm come evening-time.
Buy now £24.99, H&M
SKIMS Fits Everybody Lace Long Slip Dress
Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS has gone viral as of late for its buttery soft and ultra form-fitting underwer-as-outerwear dresses. This newer lace-trimmed style is designed to fit all bodies, of all shapes and sizes. Though incredibly stretchy and light, the maxi slip dress is double-lined with adjustable straps and a scoop neckline.
Buy now £70.00, SKIMS
Tahira Mini Slip Dress In Satin Black
For the ultimate ballerina-core slip, Motel Rocks has got you covered. The cowl-neck design features an obscurely, but daringly placed lace panel just below the waistline and a strappy finish. We love how they’ve styled it with a thin, ribbon choker and some thick ribbed legwarmers.
Buy now £49.00, Motel Rocks
Rouje Rebecca dress
A slip for endless rooftop salsa dancing, the Rebecca dress from Rouje will have you twirling all night long. Pair with a simple red lip and some black kitten heels for a comfortable, yet club-night ready ensemble.
Buy now £205.00, Rouje
Calvin Klein Satin A-Line Midi Slip Dress, Black
We would be remiss not to include a slip dress from one of the fashion houses that helped popularise the daring style. Simple but effective, this LBD-style slip is cut to an A-line silhouette and fabricated from a lightweight but durable and 100 per cent recycled polyester. We also love the discreet double spaghetti strap. The girls from Sex and The City would approve.
Buy now £200.00, John Lewis
