Does a Slip Dress Really Have to be Sexy?
A slip dress is not only a sexy little slip of a thing. It can be worn solo in the summer, of course, or when you’re feeling sexy….But does it really have to be sexy? The answer is no. You can wear it night or day and do so many things with it! Layer under and/or over it: light layers during the spring and summer and heavy layering during the fall and winter. You can add as many layers as you want. It makes the slip dress wearable for all. Age doesn’t matter.
This is an update on how to layer a slip dress during warm weather. My next post is an update on how to layer a slip dress for cool or cold weather.
How to wear a slip dress anytime and anywhere when it’s warm out:
There are dress extenders or skirt extenders that look just like slip dresses and can be used the same way. See my article on skirt extenders here.
And then there are slip dresses that are like two-fers: a t-shirt and slip dress all in one piece, or a dress with attached slip dress. That makes it easier to wear and easier to add more layers!
The simplest way to make a slip dress more wearable is to slip a white tee, short-sleeve or long-sleeve, under it and add casual shoes. But you can use any color or type of t-shirt, such as a camisole or tank, or even a graphic or striped tee.
To make the slip dress more casual and less sexy, you may add footwear such as: sneakers, men’s style flats or casual sandals (i.e., flip flops or Birkenstocks or espadrilles.) Remember that sportswear under or over your slip dress go best with sneakers and men’s style flats go best with a blazer.
Here’s a list of different pieces to add under and/or over your slip dress. And then, below this list are ideas for how to put them together.
Ways to Layer a Slip Dress (Mix and Match)
- Add another slip dress underneath
- A tank dress under it
- A t-shirt dress under it
- A body-conscious dress under
- A bodysuit under it
- A crop top over it
- Add a short dress over
- Add a tunic over
- A sheer blouse over or under
- A crop top over it
- A long-sleeve sheer or lace top under
- A shirt under, over, or as a jacket
- A t-shirt under or over (including a striped or graphic tee)
- A camisole under
- A kimono over
- A duster over
- A cardigan over
- A vest over
- A sleeveless blazer over
- A fitted, draped or oversize blazer over
- A matching camisole and bike shorts under
- A jean jacket over
- Leggings under
- Skinny jeans or pants under
- Tuck a short slip dress into your jeans, pants or skirt to wear as a top
Outfit Ideas:
- For Evening: Try wearing something with sequins or sparkles under a sheer slip dress.
- Use the slip dress as a top: by putting a skirt over it. You might also want to try tucking it into pants.
With A Blouse:
- A slip dress + a sheer blouse over it.
- A slip dress + a peasant blouse over it.
- Wear it over another slip dress + a sheer blouse worn open as a jacket. Add pretty heels + gemstone and/or pearl necklaces + toned earrings + bangles.
With A Kimono or Duster:
- A kimono over a slip dress. Add wedge sandals + jewelry of choice.
- A kimono over a slip dress. Add a long scarf twisted low in front with both ends hanging + a long charm necklace. You might also like to add a slave bracelet and/or a hip-slung belt.
- Wear a slip dress over a t-shirt with skinny jeans & a duster over it. Add heels.
- A slip dress + a matching-color duster or kimono. Add a statement necklace + cuff + bracelets + a clutch.
With An Oversize Shirt, Jacket or Cardigan:
- A slip dress + an oversize shirt, jacket or cardigan. You might like to add a choker.
- Add a draped cardigan over a slip dress.
- A slip dress + a slip underneath + a long lacy cardigan or duster. You might want to tie on a narrow belt, add necklaces and tan or taupe ankle boots.
- A slip dress + a colorful ethnic jacket. You might like to add a couple of pendants and a bracelet.
- Combine a slip dress with a skirt or dress & an open-knit cardigan. Add a long pendant. You may also want to add a narrow headband, bracelets, rings.
- A white slip dress + a tan safari jacket. You might like to add a brown belt, straw bag, a cap, pearls.
- A slip dress + a chambray shirt worn as a jacket + Birkenstock sandals.
- Wear a shirt open as a jacket over a slip dress. You might like to add heeled sandals.
With A Tank Top:
- A slip dress over a tank top + same color flared jeans. Add a long pendant.
- A slip dress over a lace camisole or tank + super skinny jeans. Add a belt over it and some bracelets.
- Wear a slip dress over a tank top & top with a jean jacket. Add a chain belt or two + flat sandals + a fringed bag (no need to match bag).
With A T-Shirt:
- Wear a slip dress over a t-shirt & matching leggings. You may like to add sneakers.
- A short-sleeve tunic over a slip dress + a draped vest or cardigan + a jean jacket. You might like to add a friendship bracelet with a bangle + a big ring + a couple of necklaces + cage sandals.
- A slim tank + biker shorts or a thin mini-skirt or slip + a slip dress + a light and flowing skirt (longer than the dress) + a loose-fitting top (one that fans out at the bottom is good) + a jacket if chilly (draped, flowing, fur, etc.).
- Top a slip dre tunic tee over a slip dress. You might want to add a drapey cardigan over.
- A slip dress over a graphic tee + skinny or straight-cut jeans. Add earrings + a cuff paired with a bracelet.
- A slip dress + a t-shirt + slip-on sneakers.
- A white tee + jeans under a slip dress.
With A Vest or Jacket:
- A slip dress + a dress extender + a long, draping, chiffon vest. Add strappy sandals + a few delicate necklaces.
- A white tee under a slip dress + a lacy or flowing vest. Add tan peep-toe booties. You might also like to add a lariat necklace + a gold tassel necklace + a pair of delicate bracelets.
- A slip dress + a white blazer. Add heeled sandals + a sculptural bag + sunglasses if sunny.
With A Tunic:
- A short slip dress + a sleeveless tunic top + palazzo pants. Add a long pendant + flat sandals + sunglasses.
- A slip dress + a long tank + a tunic (solid or printed.) Each layer should be shorter than the one before.
- A georgette tunic + a slip dress + skinny jeans. You might like to add sandals.
- A white tunic + ivory slip dress (or vice versa.) Add heeled sandals.
- A slip dress + lace turtleneck under it + a tunic over it (short-sleeve or long-sleeve, black or other color). You may want to add gladiator sandals. Try adding a fringed necklace, a cross-body bag.
- A slip dress + a slip underneath + a tunic over it.
These are just some ideas to help you layer a slip dress for the warm weather months. So what do you think? Does a slip dress really have to be sexy?
Let’s Connect!
Do you have a favorite way of wearing a slip dress? Please leave a reply in the comments below.
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