Slip dress

A slip dress is a woman's dress that closely resembles an underslip or petticoat.^[1] It is traditionally cut on the bias, with spaghetti straps.^[1] The slip dress looked like an undergarment, but was intended to be seen, and through the use of lace and sheer elements, offer glimpses of the body beneath.^[2] Designers associated with slip dresses include John Galliano, whose debut design for Dior was a lace-trimmed slip dress worn by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1996;^[3] Calvin Klein and Narciso Rodriguez.^[1][4]

Slip dress at Plaza theatre

History

Slip dresses first became widely worn in the last decade of the 20th century, as part of the underwear-as-outerwear trend, when they were made from layered chiffon, polyester satins and charmeuse, and often trimmed with lace.^[5] The dresses typified the sartorial minimalism of the 1990s.^[6] The slip dress became associated with the decade's supermodels, notably Kate Moss, who garnered attention with a sheer version in 1993.^[7] Courtney Love's fondness for the style granted slip dresses grunge credibility.^[8]

The style enjoyed renewed popularity starting in the late 2010s and continuing into the 2020s as part of a broader revival of 1990s fashion trends.^[9][10] The spring 2016 collections of both Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry featured the garment.^[8] Since then, slip dresses have been a red carpet staple.^[11] The Versace spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection included slip dresses with a beachy theme.^[12]