It was back in 1993 when a diaphanous silver slip dress (which turned out to be entirely see-through under the light of the paparazzi’s flashbulbs) helped catapult a then 19-year-old Kate Moss into the limelight after she was photographed in it at the Elite Model Agency Look of the Year party. In the 30 years since, the supermodel has turned the wardrobe staple into her go-to look, be it a lemon Calvin Klein number at the Met Gala in 1995 or, more recently, a pretty pink design with chic lace detailing by Fendi’s Kim Jones at the same event this year. Just one Google of Naomi Campbell, Winona Ryder, Sarah Jessica Parker and Iman will throw up similarly iconic looks.
Dubbed the ultimate do-it-all dress, today the slinky slip is designed to flatter any silhouette thanks to its minimal design, simple silhouette and ability to cater to pretty much any daytime or evening event— particularly here in the UAE where its lightweight nature is the perfect antidote to our warmer climes.“The slip dress is a true, timeless wardrobe staple that in a way transcends seasonal trends,” Celenie Seidel, senior womenswear lead at Farfetch tells MOJEH. “It comes with so many styling options to be explored, making it a great foundation piece that can service your wardrobe for years.” It can hardly come as a surprise, then, that for winter 2023 there isn’t a more on-trend piece, nodding to the recent resurgence of elevated basics that have been front and centre of the AW23 collections. This time around, though, they’re not so basic.
Take Ermanno Scervino, for example, whose slip dress design came so heavily ornamented with sequins that it stole the show on its Milan Fashion Week catwalk. Then there’s Erdem, who upped the ante on a glamorous black and purple floral-inspired number with the addition of huge puff sleeves. As to be expected, prints were also big news at Roberto Cavalli — its hot pink leopard print dress will be sure to command attention — while we also saw plenty of embellishments, velvet and dramatic floor-sweeping additions. “In recent collections we’ve seen a lot of crystal detailing emerging as well as fringing which will be key for next season,” says Celenie. “In terms of current wish list pieces, I love Khaite’s take on the slip through its Candita dress, with its co-ordinating scarf detail.”
There’s nothing quite as endearing as a slip dress during the wedding season either — consider one from Fendi or Emilia Wickstead, who opted for fresh bright hues over a more traditional winter colour palette. Then of course there’s the lingerie-inspired options that are perfect picks for a night out, and designed to be dressed up with an embellished heel or down underneath a vintage leather jacket. Dolce and Gabbana were ahead of the curve here, showing the likes of lacy teddies, embroidered tulle slips and risqué sheer numbers that most likely wouldn’t leave the house (unless you’re Kate Moss, that is). Look to Christopher Kane and Alberta Ferretti for something a little more demure. “Lace is a classic decorative element — we saw it a lot in the AW23 collections, and also just now in Gucci’s SS24 show, which combined intricate lace with a heavier, high shine material for a true stand-out style,” explains Celenie. “Combining it with a pair of lace tights and a strappy heel is also a fun take on partywear.”
While it’s true that the slip dress has garnered a reputation as a true wardrobe staple, the search for the perfect style is no easy feat. Being such a simple piece, finding the right fabric and cut is particularly crucial. “For starters the fabric, while often fine silk or similar, should ideally have enough weight to it that the garment can skim your body,” advises Celenie. “The overall engineering needs to be just right too, right down to the straps which are thin by nature, hitting at the right point to not be falling off your shoulders.”
Once you’ve found your dream dress, one of the biggest appeals has to be its styling potential —whether you wear it alone, or layered over a T-shirt or under your new season winter coat. An easy piece to dress up for an event, since they’re typically made of shiny satin, if you’re heading out for the evening add layered necklaces, statement earrings, a pair of heels and you’re good to go. If you’re dressing for the office, on the other hand, try pairing your favourite slip dress with an oversized blazer and biker boots for a trendy ensemble that’s also appropriate for the workplace.
They look just as stylish when matched with trainers, and as the weather cools, one way to style a slip dress is to pair a mid-length hem with an oversized sweater, giving the illusion that you’re wearing a midi skirt. “As we shift into the mood for the fall season, I’m really enjoying layering oversized slouchy sweaters or a short, cropped jacket over a slip,” says Celenie. “The multitude of styling options is what makes the slip dress such an enduring piece.”
