sheer dress, this time

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Mochi

Veteran

niefern just recently posed the useful question of what to wear under a sheer blouse:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....eer-blouse

My question may be more challenging, if you look at this sheer, cotton mesh DRESS:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GARY-G.....25712ff952

I have a restrained crush on it and am curious (even though ebay, they give you a 14-day window for returns)

But golly, it's not just sheer but low-cut, so it's a real puzzle! All I could think of was maybe biker shorts and a same-color cami or tank (ideally in a same or close shade of gray) but the lines at the neckline might clash...and it's awfully body con. But there has to be a way to make this work, right?

The undergarment (which I would actually prefer NOT to be underwear doesn't have to be romantic and pretty like the dress; in fact it would be a cool juxtaposition to have something masculine or boyish...just not skintight and otherwise weird looking.

Who's up for the challenge?

12 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Mochi

Veteran

I just messaged the seller. Who knows if she'll have anything helpful to say, though. I have infinitely more faith in all of you here

12 years ago

Anonymous

Ummm.., I guess you would need a full slip or a thin dress.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

"full slip"

But something that doesn't look tacky though. Liz Taylor looked sexy but I was thinking of being out in public with this!

Maybe (probably) it's unrealistic for me.

http://pohdiaries.com/wp-conte.....aylor2.jpg

12 years ago

Anonymous

hahaha,
I would get a jersey dress or something similar. You would have to have the dress on hand , to go and try a bunch of stuff.

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

My concern with layering under this dress is mostly the shoulder/strap --- so awfully delicate and slip-like already! Otherwise, I can see a lightweight black shirtdress (maybe a light grey instead or even a pinstripe) layered under it as being quite fun, or a white one with those voluminous Elizabethan sleeves and a gathered skirt? Actually a full red or navy skirt and a grey cami or tank sound fun too, if you don't mind the colour 'breaking'...

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

How about going the other way and trying a thin black turtleneck and leggings?

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

You need a bandeau style slip. Like this:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....DtA9IHDChA
I have one that's not a shaper so it's a bit less clingy than the one I linked. The bandeau top doesn't interfere with straps, shoulders, etc, although you may need a strapless bra. Honestly I just wear mine braless since the slip provides a bit of support, but I'm not super well endowed.

You might actually be able to find a strapless jersey *dress* at someplace like h&m that would work too.

12 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Mochi --

As you mentioned, doing biker shorts + tank would be awfully bodycon. So unless you'd be comfortable walking down the street in just that....

If you want to go more "I'm wearing a pretty dress" --

I've had a black "spiderweb" wool dress for 13+ years now. It came with a black woven slipdress (complete with bust darts, sigh) but said slip is on it's deathbed. Best replacement is the fairly opaque, seamless Commando Tailored Slip (not the mini...you want the longer one):

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/co.....origin=pla

The ideal is to wear with a strapless bra. However, when I'm feeling lazier I do regular bra + slip then add a black lace tank-style bralette/half-cami over that (and under the dress).

[I should add that I wear the slip and half-cami are in regular rotation. If your style doesn't lend itself to that the accessories add up quickly!]

If you want to go more 90s grunge then as mentioned above I'd try the dress over black skinny jeans + tank (or T, or turtleneck depending on the weather). Again depending on weather you could do Docs, flats, or cage sandals, sleek sneaks, or what have you.

Below a shot of my dress with close-ups of the fabric. Far left is with original slip, others with Commando one. Remember that under sun or bright lights the material will be even more transparent than it looks in the stock photo.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

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12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Target in Australia has similar slips to the one Vix mentioned but the tops have thicker straps - more like a tank top - so you could wear a bra. They are a stretchy fabric & a nice medium weight. Or a simple stretchy tank - Donna Karan used to do them as outer garments (as if).
I love the idea of a sleeveless top & slim pants too.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Thanks, all! I think I'll wait to hear from the seller, and if she can't even be bothered writing back, I'll let it go. I can't keep being led down the path of investigating difficult things like this, putting time into it. It's too involved. I will, however, consider the good suggestions here, and also I had the idea of bringing the pic into our local Intimacy (high-end lingerie store) to see if they had good ideas. Diana, the bandeau thing is still sounding a bit exposed for my tastes. I like Vix, Caro's and MaryK's black skinny jeans/tank idea, honestly. But if there were some sort of complimentary dress that worked as a base layer, and was not bodycon, that would be great; I could wear it with or without the jeans or leggings. But that's the question.

The designer was just being typically whimsical and didn't have to worry about how us real women would be wearing his creations!

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Oh, how funny. As soon as I posted here and signed off, I found this email reply from the seller (seems like a consignment store representing the previous owner):

"I actually emailed the owner and this is her answer:
A really pretty slip with lace or lace trim, an all lace body suit with opaque or sheer pantyhose, a matching camisole and teddy with pantyhose underneath, or a one piece lightweight catsuit.

Color as u like but I suggest nude, brown or black

Hope my answer helps.. In fact I'll throw in something to wear underneath(never worn) if youd like."

I'm intrigued now....and I have a credit to use up at Intimacy

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Catsuit plus dress... could make trips to the loo an yoga event :-/ Stick to the tango class?

(Bodysuits and teddies only if they open at the crotch like babies' onesies, or else same hurdle...)

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I was going to suggest a really simple slip/slipdress. Black, brown, pink. Just a solid color with either tank straps or spaghetti straps. I think lace or teddy-like details would take away from the pretty details of the dress itself. I don't think the neckline of the slip/dress worn under has to be lower than the neckline of the sheer dress; the contrast between the two should still allow the mesh portion to stand out.

Something like this?
http://www.6pm.com/kamalikultu.....st=mat%3A1

12 years ago

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