20 Sleek Slip Dresses and How to Style Them
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Slip dresses are a minimalist's dream. Two straps support a draped bias-cut silhouette made from a flowing fabric like silk or satin. Ultimately, it's the simplicity of the slip dress that makes it an incredibly versatile wardrobe piece you can wear all year round.
How to Style a Slip Dress
For expert advice on how to wear a slip dress, we checked in with Oprah Daily creative director Adam Glassman. If you're intimidated by the idea of throwing on a shape-skimming slip dress, you're not alone. Instead of imagining the slip dress as an end-all, be-all garment, Glassman suggests considering it as a starting point for a fabulous outfit that can be dressed up or down. Just like in the '90s, you can layer a slip dress over a short- or long-sleeve dtop or tee.
Headed to the office? You can dress down a midi or maxi slip dress with pretty flat sandals or low-top sneakers. You could also try layering a complementary-hued knit cardigan or pullover, either worn directly over or tied around the shoulders. Glassman suggests a nice cropped jacket or blazer as a great way to add coverage while pulling the overall look together.
For summer weddings and special soirees, elegant slip dresses can be dressed up with the right accessories. Try pairing a slip dress on its own with comfortable heels, a piece of personal jewelry, and a lightweight pashmina as a backup layer.
What to Look for in a Slip Dress
Fabric Each fabric option has its own benefits and levels of coverage. Materials like crepe are soft and light, but offer less stretch. Medium weight silk, viscose, and rayon are breathable, moisture-wicking, soft to the touch, and drape well. Modal, rayon, and Tencel twills are naturally stretchy and breathable, with a smooth, wrinkle-adverse finish. If you're looking for vintage-inspired details, try a slip dress with lace trim or finishes.
Length Long styles are the most versatile given that you can wear below-the-knee silhouettes in most settings. A midi or maxi slip dress can also help to elongate the figure.
Caring for Your Slip Dress
One of the most pressing concerns with delicate garments like slip dresses are wrinkles. Always read your garment's care labels before handling, and start by testing with a small area before smoothing out the entire dress. If the label indicates you can use steam, opt for a trustworthy steamer like the Oprah-approved Nori Press from last year's Favorite Things. For on-the-go care, throw a travel-size spray like Downy Wrinkle Releaser in your bag for last-minute touch-ups.
Below, 20 of our favorite slip dresses in a range of colors, styles, and price points to wear this summer and beyond.
This Amazon bestseller features a draped cowl neck, adjustable spaghetti straps, and a midi length that hits below the knees. It's made from a lightweight satiny material that's draped at the waist for concealed tummy control. While we love this green color, it also comes in 12 solid shades. Available in sizes S - XXL.
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Cowl-Neck, Draped-Waist Satin Slip Dress
$40.99
amazon.com
Line & Dot's classic midi slip is made from smooth satin with an asymmetrical seam. The Loulou has a V-neck, wide straps, and scoop back, and comes in navy blue, black, and purple. Available in sizes XS - L.
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Loulou Midi Slip Dress
$63.00
saksfifthavenue.com
If patterns are more your style, consider Boohoo's abstract pink floral print slip dress. It offers more coverage, with a square neck and high back. Available in plus sizes 12 - 24, as well as 4 - 12.
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Plus Abstract Floral Print Mesh Maxi Slip Dress
$54.00
Boohoo.com
This bestselling scoop-neck slip dress from Skims comes in 13 shades, including black, white, brown, pink, and purple. It's made from a ribbed stretch modal fabric that moves and breathes with you. Available in sizes XXS - 4X.
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Soft Lounge Long Maxi Slip Dress
$78.00
nordstrom.com
Expecting moms rave about the comfortable and pretty styles from H&M's maternity line. This calf-length satin black midi dress has wide shoulder straps and a V-neck with lace inset detailing. Available in sizes XS - XXL.
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MAMA Lace-Detail Satin Dress
$64.99
hm.com
The Beauden floral slip dress is made from a lightweight, drapey crepe fabric that's soft to the touch. This beautiful midi features wide straps with a V-neck, a square-cut back, and ruching at the chest. Available in sizes XS - XL.
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Beauden Midi Floral Slip Dress
$178.00
Reformation.com
If you need added chest support, Quince's higher tank neckline and wide straps offer more coverage. It's also made with a hypoallergenic stretch silk blend that's machine-washable. While this navy blue is lovely, you can also score this pretty midi dress in gold, green, and black. Available in sizes XS - XL.
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Washable Stretch Silk Tank Midi Dress
$168.00
quince.com
Wilfred's vintage-inspired slip dress is made from glossy Japanese satin. It hits at a midi length just below the knee, where it has a pretty scalloped floral lace trim. You can't go wrong with a black lace slip dress, but it also comes in pink, yellow, green, and brown with lace trim. Available in sizes 2XS - 2XL.
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Sonnet Satin Lace-Trim Slip Dress
$128.00
aritzia.com
This black-and-white color-block slip dress is specifically designed for plus-size figures. It has an asymmetrical, below-the-knee hemline and pretty tie-back detailing. We also love that you can clean it right in the washing machine. Available in sizes 16 - 20.
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Washable Black & White Color-Block Slip Dress
$24.99
eloquii.com
The Ana midi slip dress comes in 25 different color and floral pattern options. It's an ideal everyday piece featuring a V-neck and subtle side slit. Available in sizes XXS - 5X.
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Ana Silky V-Neck Midi Slip Dress
$54.90
amazon.com
With a maxi silhouette and a draped cowl back detail, this Amazon bestseller is our pick for a strapless slip dress. It's made from a blend fabric that's breathable with a touch of stretch. While we like this pretty blush pink, it also comes in 14 different solid shades. Available in sizes XS - XL.
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Strapless Satin Pink Maxi Slip Dress
$43.99
amazon.com
Madewell's Layton midi dress is made from an award-winning bio-based viscose fabric. It has adjustable spaghetti straps and a V-neckline with seaming along the bust, with a cross-back detailing. You can get the Layton in seven hues, including black, green, blue, pink, and purple. As an added bonus, it's machine-washable. Available in sizes 00 - 16, as well as plus sizes through 26W.
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Layton Midi Purple Slip Dress
$98.00
madewell.com
A New Day's affordable midi slip offers a V-neck front, a square back, and subtle side-slit detailing. You can get this dress in black, cream, brown, orange, and pink. Available in sizes XS - 4X.
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V-Neck Midi Slip Dress in Brown
$25.00
target.com
This vintage-inspired satin midi dress has a V-neck finished with a pretty eyelash lace trim. It also has adjustable straps and lined cups for added coverage. Available in sizes XS - XL.
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Simply Gorgeous Black Satin Lace Slip Dress
$46.00
lulus.com
Everlane's long slip dress highlights a square neckline and subtle A-line silhouette that has a bit more flow at the bottom. It's made with Naia acetate, a premium high-shine fabric that's soft to the touch, and comes in golden brown, black, and ivory. Available in sizes 00 - 16.
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Satin Square-Neck Slip Dress
$128.00
everlane.com
Abercrombie's minimalist long slip dress has a square neckline, adjustable straps, and pretty cowl-back detailing with a clasp at the center. You can get this lined dress in black, white, pink, and green. Available in sizes XXS - XXL, as well as petite and tall lengths.
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Washable Satin Cowl-Back Long Slip Dress
$130.00
abercrombie.com
This V-neck satin maxi dress's standout features are the cutout back detailing and a pretty triple-button closure. It also has adjustable spaghetti straps and a hidden zipper to fit where you need. Available in mint green and navy blue, and sizes XS - XL.
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Divine Romance Sage Green Satin Backless Maxi Dress
$88.00
lulus.com
This fit-and-flare slip dress made from textured jersey is a dream summer dress. It has a high, square neckline in the front and a minimalist back strap detail. Available in sizes XS - XXL.
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Black Textured Maxi Slip Dress
$49.99
hm.com
Mango's white midi slip dress features a straight, square neck with cross-back detailing. It's made from a soft, fine knit that hugs your curves and moves with your body. Available in sizes 0 - 12.
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Cross-Back Knit Midi White Slip Dress
$49.99
mango.com
ASTR the Label makes fantastic dresses that you'll rewear to all of your summer soirees. The Makenna midi blue slip dress features wide straps and back-tie closure. It's made from a midweight sateen fabric for added coverage. Available in sizes XS - L.
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Makenna Scoop-Neck Midi Slip Dress in Blue
$108.00
revolve.com
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