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Gone 90s

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Okay, I haven’t decided if I’m keeping this yet, but I ordered a bias cut slip dress. I will only keep if I decide I can truly and comfortably dress it down for everyday wear (maybe not pandemic-casual, but you know, normal-life-doing-stuff casual).

Here are some playful 90s stylings, along with, for your viewing pleasure, an actual pic of me from around 1993...those are forest green Chucks!

What do y’all think? Is it dress-downable? I did try it with just a pullover over the top and worn as a skirt, and that works too, but black on black didn’t photograph well enough to share.

(Also...let’s call the hair today “grunge”)

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40 replies

Latest reply was from citygirldc

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have to rush off adorable Jenn, but will leave you with three words until I chime in more fully later:

KILLER ALL ROUND

....and try a tee under the dress too!

Runcarla

Veteran

Lovely slip dress. I get how challenging it is to ‘dress down’. The leather jacket (#4+#5) works. I seem to remember it being worn over a plain (white) t-shirt when they first came into fashion. Is it silk? Washable? To be honest, I’ve never worn this type of dress, so never had the opportunity to style one.

SarahD8

Veteran

I think it looks great. But the question is, how does it *feel*? Do you feel like you are wearing something luxe but easy? Or do you feel like you are wearing something fancy that you have to be careful with?

For me, cashmere usually feels like the former and it's an absolute staple in my wardrobe. Silk sometimes feels like the latter, and even though I know I don't look too dressed up, I feel like I can't quite be as mentally comfortable as I need to be for my day to day, so silk items (even if washable) sometimes get passed over in favor of something else.

Am I making any sense? You know yourself and are good at being honest about your wardrobe, so trust your gut here.

ETA: oops, I don't know why I assumed it was silk! Principle still applies though I think....

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Runcarla, it's viscose and washable. I'll try to get a Find to work if i keep it, but for now, here's the link:

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....38;searchp

The biggest challenge for me is the neckline. A less drapey neck would be easier to style, but I've been searching an awfully long time and haven't found a similar dress in my size without the cowl. I'm thinking that style might present some fit/flattery issues with a larger bust.

Thanks, Angie!

Murph11

Veteran

Really beautiful, Jenn! Love how you've styled it.

Anthro shows the violet color w/ a white tee for reference.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think it’s gorgeous on you Jenn. I think the sexiness of the neckline makes it harder to truly dress down. I love how you’ve styled it, and definitely vote keep.

You could try something over it to play down the neckline. I have this FP jumper (an OBG) that I recently re-dyed. I wear it over an FP dress that has a low neckline to provide some coverage. (But for a different reason, low necklines look terrible on me.) I like that it allows the dress to partly show through. But a regular cropped pullover would work too. Also a ballet style wrap top could look really good with it too.

I hope you keep it.

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I really like it. Your pics are always so vibrant, too!

I never wore slip dresses in the 90s; they felt too exposed to me after living my youth in conservative countries. But for some reason I've come around to them in the last year or so. I have a topshop "second skin" mesh top that I wear under my navy slipdress. And cardigans over.

Topshop Flower Print Mesh Long Sleeve T-Shirt

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Cashmere Crop Cardigan

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Irina

Veteran

Looks great! I adore it with a leather jacket. Maybe you can try it with a jean jacket if you have one? Unbuttoned white shirt? Possibilities are endless, please keep the dress

nemosmom

Veteran

OMG the throwback photo is fab! The dress looks great with the jacket! I totally get the modesty factor - if the cowl neck doesn't work with a tee, is there a way to alter the neckline so it is straighter? Would that help?

I am afraid I missed the trend in the 90s, so I don't have much experience with these types of dresses.

Teresa

You look adorable and vibrant in all the photos. Love it with the leather jacket, but the long cardigan looks great too. Keep it!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am in awe of anyone who can wear a slip dress this well! I cannot get past the bra issue. Anyway it looks great to me on its own and fab with the leather jacket. Oh and also the black cons. Also think the tee underneath and sweater over are great options. So I guess that's a keep!

kellygirl

Veteran

How fun is that! Perfect for LA and so gorgeous on you! Keep!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

You look great! My issue with those dresses is the underpinnings, as Jaime mentions above... a strapless bra is not an everyday choice for me, and this cut also seems to show every bump and seam of underpants. I tend to feel like I need a bit more structure. But you look like you are rocking it effortlessly, how do you do it?

slim cat

Veteran

Jacket plus slip dress is very flattering on you - vote to keep. All Saints show similar dresses with thin sweaters over ( in grey, olive colors ) - might work out with the right piece. Would love to see black sweater over that dress - sounds very nice.

rachylou

Veteran

I would not have known that was you, lol. I don’t see it at all

I really like the dress in pics 3-8. The long cardi... I feel a need for more contrast in weight or texture...

Gigi

Veteran

Ooh, I'm crushing hard on this! You have such great style.

I like all the renditions, but the leather jacket one is out-of-this-world fabulous.

I hope you can find a way to dress it down so you are comfortable with it. Other people have made some good suggestions. The neckline does make it really hard to wear more casually. That is one reason I have not looked too hard at getting one of these dresses; I'm not sure how I could wear it practically in real life.

Joy

Veteran

Jenn, you own this look. You are the boss of that dress. Wear your sneakers and pop a sweatshirt over the dress. Instant casual, especially with your black jacket.. Be sexy, because many of us can’t.

Bijou

Veteran

It is fabulous all ways - but I particularly love #1 and don't see why you cant wear this for anything other than gardening or cleaning - pop this on for a glass of wine on the balcony and feel special. 2020 is the year that I have realised that I need to enjoy any occasion!

Joy's sentiment is 100% right - you should enjoy being beautiful and sexy, this has your signature all over it, 90's but grown up and fabulous.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I like the same pix as RL, but for a different reason—the boots. I really like them with it.
Cute throwback pic—you had your sneaks even then.

ETA I'm impressed you saw the potential in this--pix on the website are not flattering at all. You wear it much better!

Star

Veteran

Definitely dress-downable. It is fabulous, I would keep.

Lynne

Veteran

Beautiful, I love it with the jacket! I vote keep, and it's definitely dress-downable :). Great college pic, too!

Minaminu

Veteran

well done for finding a slip dress in viscose! the majority of the slip dresses are made of polyester, which I am trying to avoid for various reasons. I really like the outfit with the red jacket, you look ready to go a concert (aw, I am sooo missing those days!)!!

RobinF

Veteran

I think all these versions look great, especially the moto. I would also struggle with the neckline but I think it works here unless you think it would make you self-conscious.

celia

Veteran

Absolutely Amazing! I hope you keep it.

Anonymous

Looks great- but are you comfortable with the neckline? I always feel self conscious in very bare tops.

Anonymous

Just terrific in every way! And look at you in the 90's with your cutoffs and ankles bracelet too

In all seriousness, the dress is gorgeous, and as well as you've styled it, where would you actually wear it? I always think slip dresses are lovely but can't wrap my head around the reality of wrinkling, staining (you know how that fabric even stains from water drops) , perspiration marks etc etc.

LaPed

Veteran

I really like it, especially with the leather jacket. A denim jacket or oversized white shirt would look great too.

I think, with the cowl neck, I would be less likely to layer things like tees and turtlenecks underneath; I might try a tank/crop-top/bralette with a scoop that somewhat mirrors the drape of the neckline but provides more coverage. Something like an Arq bralette; I'm thinking the wider straps under dainty straps could look intentional. Or one of those elaborately strappy sports bras that are intended to be worn peeking out... Visible lace would be nice too, although wouldn't necessarily dress it down.

Also, your hair is incredible, both now and then!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jenn, can you pop a black bra with a lace panel up top to make it more wearable from a neckline POV? That way, no worries about feeling self conscious when moving around and bending over. Soma had some great ones.

And there is still the tee layering option. VERY '90s!

Is it 100% viscose? That would worry me a bit.....

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback, all!

A few points:

1. My concern about the neckline isn't about the "sexiness" of it. Honestly, if it covers my bra, I'm fine with it, and the straps are adjustable, so I could raise/lower it depending on circumstance. It's more about the logistics of layering over/under a cowl.

2. Brooklyn, I LOVE that sweater. I've been low-key looking for something similar for years.

3. I don't really have a good tee for layering under at the moment. All of mine are boxy rather than fitted (which makes them great for popping over the top, at least!). That may change.

(I'll be back with more...just some initial thoughts)

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