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 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]
