How to avoid segmented look with unlined dresses? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How to avoid segmented look with unlined dresses?

catgirl

Veteran

So I have a couple of dresses that are jersey or wool for winter that are not clingy, but are unlined and require a slip (for non-stickage with tights) and a cami for smoothness. But the slip and cami invariably fight for the disputed territory that is my mid-section, where I'm already segmented by my tights, and all three somehow end up with hem or elastc bunched up together there at some point in the day. It's uncomfortable, lumpy, and not very dignified.

What can I wear under a dress that will avoid this constant civil war among underlayers? Or am I the only one who struggles with this issue?

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

April

Veteran

Hmm. Tough one. I am so sympathetic to this.

The problem I hate is the cami that ends right in the region where it looks like a huge pantyline, in spite of my extremely diligent efforts to avoid any such thing. The only way around it is to scrunch the cami up so the bottom hem is around my waist -- not so comfy.

I fear there are no solutions to these problems short of shapewear -- and I'm not willing to go that route unless I'm on my way to the red carpet.

catgirl

Veteran

I've considered shapewear sized up! Thanks for the sympathy, April - sometimes I wonder if my problems are too weird to post.

rachylou

Veteran

I think you can still get a full non-shapeware slip. May have to buy it online, but still possible.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Not too weird to post lol. I bought a slip that was halfway between shapewear and slip and sewed a panty into it (TMI?). This works great under my clingy purple wrap dress. But I do not wear hosiery with it. When I am wearing tights or leggings I will tuck my cami into the leggings to keep one from riding up and the other from riding down.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

More sympathy - no you ae not alone. Some of the "light" shapewear could work, it's more like a super stretchy under garment. There is a piece that looks like a tank top but is longer, comes to about mid-thigh on me (I'm 5' 6") so it may work as a full length slip on you. I got mine at Target (but Australia doesn't carry all the same stock).

Blue Skies

You are not alone! I had the same problem, but recently purchased a Commando brand slip. It smooths everything out and doesn't bunch. The only downside is the price!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/co.....038;pprd=0

DonnaF

Veteran

How about a full length slip/chemise or teddy? WinterSilks sells them, and so does Nordstroms and probably a number of other places. My preference is taffeta to avoid cling; charmeuse may be okay, too. I avoid shapewear like the plague, even control top tights.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I was thinking one of those shapewear gizmos that looks like a stretchy slip -- the stretchiness might help with smoothness and keeping things in place? Or perhaps sizing up in tights so that the waistband is looser?

Mann

I will echo some of the suggestions above - I too have had good luck with a full slip. I use a non-clingy but sturdy (that's a weird adjective here) slip for my thicker wool dresses that do the "fit and flare" thing, and then a spandex-y (but not shapewear) slip for my more body hugging thinner fall/spring dresses. With full slips my experience so far unfortunately has been that you get what you pay for, but I've gotten so much mileage out of my slips that it's ok for me. Regarding tights digging in - I started using tights that don't have a defined waistband, just a wide band up top - I got a pair from Nordstroms I think. The full slip along with the no-waistband tights has made my dress-wearing much more manageable.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I love my Spanx full body slip for just such reasons. Lesser priced ones available if you're not really going for full shaping, just non-cling (Yummietummie has one, I'm sure Target has the Blakely ones...) Commando tights will not create a defined waistband area. Worth the $$$

catgirl

Veteran

Mann, where have you gotten spandex non-shaping slips? I would love that. Also the tights - will have to look for what you suggested.

Thanks everyone!

catgirl

Veteran

Jjsloane, do the Spanx prevent you from breathing? The last one I wore almost killed me.

Beth

Veteran

Full-on Spanx are Garments of The Devil.

Una, Could you try the Commando tights that Angie recommends, along with a full slip?

It's not a weird problem, IMO. I have such little real estate in the midsection that everything bunches up there. Not so pretty...

Anonymous

You know, I finally gave those commando tights a run and man, I'm hooked. So sad because I have quite a collection of pricier hosiery, that is being utterly neglected. The worst segmentation issue with me happens with tights.

Anonymous

Aha, now I see there is a commando following!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I've not tried this yet, but I was considering getting one of those bodycon dresses from H&M and using it as a slip.

Keix

Veteran

I splurged on Commando tights during NAS for exactly this reason. Haven't worn them for a full day yet, but hopefully they are worth it!

Aida

Veteran

If I need a cami under a thin dress... Well I bought some of those shelf camisoles and cut away the body leaving just the shelf Then the slip goes over that, then the dress. Have to find high-waisted tights when possible, as my rise is a bit long.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I wear high waisted spanx. They come up to right under my bra. They make a nice smooth line - as smooth as possible with my apple belly. The spanx ones are pricey but nice. I also have a pair of Target Assets high waisted tights, which are also made by spanx. They aren't quite as nice but alot cheaper.

Deborah

Veteran

Una I wear a full slip...works a treat!

ramya

Veteran

Hmmm full slip which are like camisole and skirt combined..
More like a knee length camise...

here is one nightwear...
http://www.shoppersstop.com/ca.....07082.html

Without the robe
You get them in nude, white and black in jersey material back in India :S

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Another vote for a full slip - cami and skirt all in one. You can find these with and without spandex. Personally I can't wear Spanx - the "hot sausage" effect doesn't work well when I'm having a menopausal hot flush!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Full slip! And it seems that right now, the stores are teeming with them. At least, they are here. I know this because last week I was on a mission from Dog to find a non-Spanx half slip with lace at the bottom, and I tried every department store in the lower mainland, and all the fancy expensive lingerie shops too, and came up empty-handed (until I finally sucked it up and went to Walmart, where I found one in two seconds. Grr). But oh my, were there ever a lot of lovely-looking full slips for sale. I already have a full slip, so I didn't buy any, but they're out there.

If it's helpful, I got my full slip from the Calvin Klein store about two years ago. It's very plain, with a crossover vee neck. I'm sure they have something similar right now.

lynne

Veteran

Another rec for a full slip. I have a lovely one of my mother's that is older than I am.

Mann

Alaskagirl, like it was already said by others I think the non-waistband tights I have are Commando from Nordstrom.
Re non-shapewear spandex-y slip - I got mine from Anthropologie. Actually, my "fit and flair" full sturdy slip is from Anthro as well. I've found they occasionally carry really quality and functional (full) slips, if you are willing to browse through the frilly ruffly ones. But right now I might add on the Commando slip from Nordstrom - it seems to be good cross between the two styles of slips I have.

bj1111

Veteran

for you, full slip...here's on by commando, tailored non shapewear

http://www.barenecessities.com.....oNTS01UNBX

here is a more traditional slip...in these i find slip or garment creeps because the slip is too slippery.

http://www.barenecessities.com.....rWest57421