Slip Dresses - How do You Feel About Them? - YouLookFab Forum

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Slip Dresses - How do You Feel About Them?

deb

Veteran

I am seeing slip dresses everywhere, is there an age/body shape limit on them? I wore them in the 70's but I could not afford the beautiful silks, only polyester versions. Now we are able to get affordable silk and am curious what your thoughts are about them. Would you wear one?

Shopping

36 replies

Latest reply was from deb

Meow

Veteran

Not on me! If I was younger and firmer....Maybe. But to be honest, they still look like underwear.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

They came back in the 90s too, if I recall correctly, didn't they?
For me, its the most difficoult style I can think of. They should probably be worn with a strapless bra, which I find uncomfortable. Unless you put a white tee underneath, à la Courtney Love, but it's too juvenile (with Doc Martens and blonde hair would make a costume, though).
The fabric shows everything, as they are not structured at all. They should probably be worn with shapewear, but it would get yoo hot in the summer.
I dont know if others have better suggestions. Slip dresses are just not for me!

rachylou

Veteran

I love the look of them in pics, but find IRL the straps fall down and they make you look lumpy.

SecretSquirrel

(website)

I remember having a black and white slip dress in the 90's, not silk but still very 'slippy' if ykwim. I wore it with ribbed white or black tshirts. I would be tempted to wear something similar again, but only patterned, not plain silk.

I like wearing a silk slip to bed though, when the weather gets really warm.

anchie

Veteran

I did own beautiful slip dress some 20 years ago, when I was much firmer and slimmer, and still could not make it work. I ended up using it for sleeping Now I can not even imagine.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I love the look of a slip dress, I've got my eye on a velvet one which I would wear over a polo neck just like the recent Valentino show
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion.....ry/1604328

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Beth Ann

Veteran

R&J, the ones you posted have weight in the fabric and nice drape -- they would be much easier to wear.

I say, just wear it as intended -- as a slip -- and get a nice robe to match. Actually, seriously, in the 20s/30s, they did often wear a silk sleeveless sheath with a light overcoat that was intended to be worn indoors. I would imagine that there is a more modern version that would be wearable. Also, a slightly weightier silk, cut on the bias, could be more forgiving (but quite expensive).

kkards

Veteran

always loved the idea of them….never liked the reality of them….

Anonymous

No. Just no. Not on my body.

Aziraphale

Veteran

They're pretty, but I wouldn't wear one. I'd feel like I was running around outside in my undergarments. Also, bra strap issues. (I won't wear any garment that requires a specialty bra, with the exception of a t-back bra).

Anonymous

Never. Unless I was built like Kate Moss.

Banoffi

Veteran

I like the idea of slip dresses, but have never owned one. The silky material is very unforgiving and shows every lump and bump, so I wouldn't be comfortable.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes. The Pajama Party Trend.

VERY '90s. Wore plenty back then. Not for me now - can't fill them out - enjoy the look on others though.

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Thirkellgirl

Veteran

I had one in 1978 that looked amazing. I also had a 98 pound body to go with it. Rest in peace, slip dresses.

Anonymous

The '90s dresses were not made for my body type, and I was thinner back then.

rabbit

Veteran

I'll be a lone hold out and say I think they are really beautiful, if you can find one that works on your body, but I think they work better as going out in the evening/cocktail wear (soft lighting is more forgiving and makes the fabric gleam), and I'd never have an occasion now where the mix of sexy and formal would really work... (I'm not sure the casual layered approach works as well if we aren't young, although Jules examples might actually).

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Nonono.

Reminds of a Sartorialist post showing a woman in a halter-neck slip dress from behind. A number of women pointed out to him that the lack of bra was only feasible for the size 0 crowd, like the model he'd selected.

Marley

Veteran

Love the looks of them - but can't pull them off myself!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think they are pretty, but impractical. I can't fill them out and look awful in them, so not for me.

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm going to pass on this trend. I have decided to avoid all dresses and tops that require a strapless bra. They never stay up. There's nothing worse than worrying about your bra dropping to your waist while you are out and about. Tugging at your boobs doesn't look graceful or ladylike! Could I go without a bra? Sure I could! Should I? He he

Kimberley

Veteran

While I love them, I doubt I can wear a slip dress in public....

Strapless 34DDD bras are pricey/difficult to find, and in my experience, most uncomfortable. Clearly going bra-less is not an option here either!

Caisee J

(website)

While I find them very comfortable and could be cheaper than other dresses for going out to places such as parties, they have a hard being flattering on most body types I think.

Joy

Veteran

No. Unless as a nighty.

Theodora

Ha, Joy, I just did that- bought a slip dress, but it was too low cut for public, so I kept it as a nighty instead, as it was super comfortable Tencel! It turned out to be both attractive and useful, as the material breathes and wicks moisture so well during some "hot flash/night sweats" nights. Win-win, as my cotton nighties just get clammy and damp, and I have to change in the middle of the night. I may even get another "slip" dress for a nighty

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think they are one of those things that looks appealing in photos on models, who, let's face it, have also been Photoshopped to smooth things out and make everything look perfect. I believe they are much more difficult to look fab IRL.

I don't really understand how some women say they can't wear them because they "can't fill them out" because to me they only really work on a very slender frame that is free of bumps and bulges and has a small bustline that doesn't require a bra.

Ooh is that silk

I'd never wear a slip dress, because boobs and bumps, but I love slip skirts (i.e. bias cut knee length silk), especially with jumpers and boots.

Diana

Veteran

I used to love them and lived in them during the summer. They can be clingy but it depends on the fabric. They are amazing in linen if you can find it. I used to just wear a bra with matching or a pretty contrasting color skinny straps, and I didn't care (and still don't) if the straps show.

ETA: here's an example of a linen one. Not clingy! It looks rather short on the model (but she might be 100 feet tall) but I'd totally wear it otherwise.
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....cadevice=t

Style Fan

Veteran

I had one back in the early 80s (?) and I wore it a lot. Probably looked great back then. Now absolutely not. I only wear dresses that allow for a regular bra. And I do not wear shapewear. Ouch.

Tanya

Veteran

I used to wear tons of them in the 90's when I was a teenager. They were plaid, ditsy floral, solid and all other versions, typically worn over a baby white tee, and with combat boots ( laced halfway only). Add chokers and long blond hair and imagine Nirvana playing in the background
I don't think I will be doing this the second time around. The only way I could wear a slip dress again would be as a fancy gown in heavier material for a formal occasion.

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