Age doesn't matter.

How to Layer a Slip Dress Like a Pro

slip dress w cardi etsy
Dramatic Vintage Tie Dye Slip Dress with a printed cardigan and necklaces from IndigoMundy at Etsy

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 you can do so many other things with it:  layer under and/or over during the rest of the year, adding as many layers as you want.  It makes the slip dress wearable for all.  Age doesn’t matter.  To warm up during the cooler months, the style components and outfit combinations below show you how to layer a slip dress like a pro.

This is an update on how to layer a slip dress during cool or cold weather.  My last post was an update on how to layer a slip dress for warm weather.  For lighter and less layers, you can connect to that at “Does A Slip Dress Really Have to Be Sexy?” HERE.  For warmer and heavier layers, continue reading below.

Slip Dresses for Layering

slip dress and tank
Add a topper such as a tunic or kimono or jacket over this Laurel Layered Ruffle Slip Dress from Corey Lynn Calter

As I said in my last post, there are dress extenders or skirt extenders that look just like slip dresses and can be used the same way.  You might like to read my post “What in the World is a Skirt Extender” HERE.

And then there are slip dresses that are like two-fers:  a t-shirt and slip dress all in one piece.  That makes it easier to wear and easier to add more layers!

So your slip dress is useful any time of year and for any occasion, casual to dressy to sexy evening if you like.  What makes it go beyond evening is layering.  So this is all about layering.  Read on for techniques and ideas!

How to Layer a Slip Dress (Mix and Match)

Here’s a list of different pieces to layer under and/or over your slip dress.  And then, below this list, you will find over 60 ideas for how to put them together.

  • Add another slip dress underneath
  • A tank dress under it
  • A body-conscious dress under
  • Add a short dress over
  • Add a tunic over
  • A jean jacket over
  • A leather jacket over
  • A moto jacket over (made of any material)
  • A bomber jacket over
  • A faux fur vest or faux fur jacket over
  • A vest over
  • A fitted, draped or oversize blazer over
  • A sleeveless blazer over
  • A kimono over
  • A duster over
cardi over slip dress
Free People slip dress, cardi, skinny jeans and flats
  • A sweater under or over
  • A cardigan over, especially if it’s chunky and/or long
  • A shirt under, over, or as a jacket
  • A flannel or plaid shirt as jacket
  • A long-line shirt over
  • A sheer blouse over
  • A long-sleeve sheer or lace top under
  • A turtleneck under or over
slip dress w tneck anthro
AG The Scarlett Slip Dress from Anthropologie over a mock-neck sweater
  • A t-shirt under or over (including a striped or graphic tee)
  • A camisole under
  • A sweatshirt over
  • A hoodie over
  • A bodysuit under
slip-dress-outfit-01
From “4 Fresh Ways to Wear a Slip Dress for Fall” at the Zoe Report
  • Add leggings underneath
  • Black leather pants under
  • Skinny jeans or pants under
  • Tuck a short slip dress into your jeans or pants
slip dress as top hm
From “How to Layer the Slip Dress” at H&M blog
  • Use the slip dress as a top by putting a skirt over it.
  • Add a top and bottom under (any pants or skirt)
  • A white tee and jeans under (or any color — solid, graphic or striped)
  • A matching camisole and bike shorts under

Footwear:

To make the slip dress more casual and less sexy, you may add footwear such as:  tall boots, combat boots, Uggs, sneakers, or men’s style flats.  Remember that sportswear under or over your slip dress goes best with sneakers and men’s style flats go best with a blazer.

black-slipdress-duster-1-1080x850
Debbie of Fashion Fairy Dust in a slip dress over a graphic tee and skinny jeans with a plaid duster and heeled sandals

Outfit Combinations Using a Slip Dress

For Evening:

  • A slip dress + a long-sleeved lace top underneath + a long pencil skirt + a flowing kimono.  Add tall boots + statement rings.
  • A slip dress over a velvet top.

With a Kimono or Duster:

slip dress w kimono
Kimono over slip dress from “Room to Breathe” at Rose Kiara Peaches
  • A silky tank over a slip dress + a kimono.  Add boots + a pendant or two + sparkly drop earrings + bracelets and rings of choice.
  • A kimono over a slip dress.  Add a long scarf twisted low in front with both ends hanging + a long charm necklace + a slave bracelet.  You may also add a hip-slung belt.

With a T-Shirt:

Slip dress and lg sl tee StillLoveGlamORIGINALS
Thelma of StillLoveGlam in a slip dress over a long-sleeve t-shirt and sneakers
  • A slip dress + a t-shirt + a jacket.  Add over-the-knee boots.
  • A long-sleeve t-shirt 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 white tee + jeans + a slip dress over them.  Add boots if you like.
  • A tunic tee over a slip dress + leggings + ankle boots.
  • A tunic tee over a slip dress.  You may add a knit or faux-leather drape-front cardigan over.
  • A long-sleeve t-shirt + matching leggings + a slip dress over.  You may like to add sneakers.
  • A slip dress + t-shirt + leggings + a flannel shirt as jacket.  Add serious neck candy and boots or moccasins.
  • A t-shirt under a slip dress + over-the-knee boots.  You might also like to add a jacket.
  • An oversize t-shirt over a slip dress.  Add biker boots, a gold bangle or cuff, rings, sunglasses if sunny.
  • A long-sleeve t-shirt over a slip dress.  Add a black faux leather jacket + a long, tough-looking pendant layered with a shorter necklace + a leopard-print scarf.  You might also like to add a beanie.
  • A slip dress + a longer length long-sleeve t-shirt over it + a thin cardigan open with a belt over it + destroyed skinny jeans.  Add boots + a corded bracelet.

With a Tunic:

Slip dress FW etsy
Tunic and Slip Dress by lijingshop at Etsy worn over leggings and tall boots
  • Slip dress + a long tank + a long-sleeve tunic (solid or printed).  Each layer should be shorter than the one before.
  • A blue tunic over a slip dress + destroyed skinny jeans.  Add tall brown boots with flat heels + a cloth headband + a brown leather bracelet.
  • A black tunic over a slip dress + black leggings or tights.  Add ankle boots + a long pendant.

With a Plaid Shirt:

Slip dress and plaid shirt Nordstrom
Vince Plaid Crossover Top from Nordstrom worn over a slip dress
  • A plaid shirt over a slip dress.  If you leave the shirt unbuttoned and wear it as a jacket, you could also wear a t-shirt under the dress.
  • A plaid shirt worn open as a jacket over a slip dress.  Add a black faux leather jacket + black tights.

With a Vest:

Slip dress and vest Fashion Musings
Jeanne of Fashion Musings Diary in a biker vest over a light open-front cardigan over a gray slip dress with Balenciaga boots
  • A fringed vest over a slip dress.  Add tights and boots.  You could add another layer under the dress.
  • A faux fur vest over a slip dress.  Add layers from Mix & Match list above.
  • A utility vest over a slip dress.  Add layers from Mix & Match list above.

With a Cardigan:

Slip dress and cardi paulaandchlo
Kendall + Kylie Silk Slip Dress from Paula&Chlo with an oversize grandpa cardigan
  • A lacy slip dress + a boyfriend cardigan + over-the-knee boots.
  • A slip dress + an oversize cardigan + footless tights.  Add a long pendant + flats.
  • A slip dress + a big cozy cardigan or sweater jacket + jeggings.  Add flats + a pendant + a gold or silver ring.
  • A slip dress + a big cozy cardigan.  Add a plaid blanket shawl or a big scarf + tights + boots.
  • An ivory slip dress + an ivory cashmere hoodie or cardigan.  You might like to add a long necklace or two, a narrow headband, rings.

With a Sweater:

Sheer-Slip-Dress
Sheer slip dress over a slip, under a chunky sweater, with scarf, tights and boots from FashionTasty.com
  • A slip dress under chunky knits + boots.
  • A slip dress + a lace-hem sweater over it.  Add a long pendant and accessories of choice.
  • A sweater over a slip dress + a jacket.  Add ankle boots.
  • A slip dress + a chunky turtleneck sweater + over-the-knee boots.  Add necklaces, rings, etc.
  • An oversize sweater over a slip dress + skinny jeans.
  • A slip dress + an oversize sweater.  Add over-the-knee boots.  May add a delicate chain necklace + a chain bracelet.
  • A slip dress + a big pullover sweater.  Add tall boots + a cross-body bag + a necklace.  You might also want to add a fedora hat.

With a Jean Jacket:

slip dress and jean jacket
From “Maxi-Dress Outfit Ideas” on Livingly
  • A slip dress over a sleeveless black dress + a jean jacket.  Add sandals.
  • A slip dress + a jean jacket.  Add black tights and moccasins + sunglasses if sunny.
  • A slip dress + a jean jacket + leggings + ankle boots to match leggings.  Add a couple of pendants + a watch layered with a friendship bracelet.
  • A slip dress + a long swing tank over it + a jean jacket.  Add one or two chain belts over the tank + flats + a fringed bag (no need to match bag).
  • A gray slip dress + a jean jacket.  You may add a tunic over the slip dress, or another slip dress underneath.  Cuff the sleeves of the jacket.
  • A slip dress + skinnies + a jean jacket.  You might like to add a backpack or studded purse.
  • A slip dress + a thermal top layered under it + skinnies + a jean jacket.  Your might also like to add a fedora hat.
  • A cable pullover sweater over a slip dress + a jean jacket.  Add rings.

With a Faux Leather Jacket:

slip dress tee moto
Cara Loren in a slip dress with a white tee and sneakers and a moto jacket
  • A big cozy tunic sweater over a slip dress + a moto jacket.  Add a multi-chain necklace + boots.
  • A slip dress + a moto jacket + over-the-knee boots.
  • A white slip dress over a black slip dress.  Add chunky black boots + a tough leather jacket.
  • A slip dress + a pullover + a black faux leather jacket.  Add boots + sunglasses if sunny.

With a Turtleneck:

zoomed image
From Monki
  • A black turtleneck under a burgundy velvet slip dress.  Add a fur jacket, a multi-chain necklace, a chain link bag.

More Ways to Wear It:

info@imaxtree.com
A blazer and t-shirt over a slip dress with lace-up boots – from “How to Wear Your Favorite Slip Dress in Fall” at the Fashion Spot
  • A slim tank + biker shorts or a thin mini-skirt or slip + a light and flowing skirt (longer than the dress) + a slip dress + a loose-fitting top (one that fans out at the bottom is good) + a jacket if chilly (draped, flowing, fur, etc.).  You may add a cozy scarf.  Wrap it around a couple of times to add more layers.  Add ankle boots or over-the-knee boots.  You may add thigh-high socks.
  • A white slip dress over any black top + black tights.  Add heels + jewelry of choice.
  • A gray slip dress + black leather pants or snakeskin leggings.  You may also like to add a jacket or cardigan.
  • A slip dress + a matching color top over it + leggings or skinnies.
  • A slip dress + a utility jacket.

Let’s Connect!

So what do you think?  Was this helpful to you?  Do you have a favorite way of wearing a slip dress?  Please let us know. Leave a reply below!

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4 Comments

    • Hi, Shelbee – I’m so glad to share my outfit ideas, and I’m especially happy to see my blogger friends trying them out! Thanks for stopping by – XO, Angie

  • Thank you so VERY much for referencing my slip dresses on your blog! Slip dresses are timeless and you are right – age does NOT matter! It is about being creative and true to yourself. Life is not a dress rehearsal – enjoy the journey! ❤️ xoxo

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