Does a Slip Dress Really Have to be Sexy?

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 does it really have to be sexy?  The answer is no.  You can wear it night or day and do so many things with it!  Layer under and/or over it:  light layers during the spring and summer and heavy layering during the fall and winter.  You can add as many layers as you want.  It makes the slip dress wearable for all.  Age doesn’t matter.

This is an update on how to layer a slip dress during warm weather. For ways to layer a slip dress during cool weather, see my post “How to Layer a Slip Dress Like a Pro.”

How to wear a slip dress anytime and anywhere when it’s warm out:

There are dress extenders or skirt extenders that look just like slip dresses and can be used the same way.  See my article on skirt extenders here.

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

The simplest tactic is to slip a white tee, short-sleeve or long-sleeve, underneath it and add casual shoes.  But you can use any color or type of t-shirt, such as a camisole or tank, or even a graphic or striped tee.

For casual dress, you may like to add footwear such as:  sneakers, men’s style flats or casual sandals (i.e., flip flops or Birkenstocks or espadrilles.)  Remember that sportswear under or over your slip dress go best with sneakers and men’s style flats go best with a blazer.

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

Ways to Layer a Slip Dress (Mix and Match)

• Layer a sheer blouse over or under
• A long-sleeve sheer or lace top under
• Add another slip dress underneath
• A t-shirt dress under it
• A tank dress under it
• Layer a tank top under or over it

• Wear a shirt under, over, or as a jacket
• Wear a body-conscious dress under
• A bodysuit under it
• Add a short dress over it
• Layer a tunic over

• Layer a crop top over it
• A t-shirt under or over (including a striped or graphic tee)
• A camisole under
• Add a kimono over
• Layer a duster over

• A cardigan over
• A vest over
• Add a sleeveless blazer over
• A fitted, draped or oversize blazer over
• Matching camisole and bike shorts under

• A jacket over it, including jean jackets and utility jackets
• Leggings under
• Skinny jeans or pants under
• Tuck a short slip dress into your jeans, pants or skirt to wear as a top
• A sweater under or over
• Wear a bralette under a slip dress for coverage & support

Outfit Ideas:

• Over Pants:  Pair a slip dress with skinny blue jeans.
• Use the slip dress as a top:  by putting a skirt over it.  You might also want to try tucking it into pants.

For Evening:

1. If you have a beach cover that would look good as an evening coverup, layer it over a matching color slip dress or a black slip dress.
2. Try wearing something with sequins or sparkles under a sheer slip dress.
3. A white lace duster + a white slip dress + a long white lacy skirt. Add a statement necklace.
4. An white lace top + a white slip dress over filmy white wide-leg pants or a long white chiffon skirt. You might like to add a jean jacket & white sneakers.

A Slip Dress With A Shirt or Blouse:

1. A slip dress + a sheer blouse over it, or
2. Layer a peasant blouse over it.
3. Wear it over another slip dress + a sheer blouse worn open as a jacket.  Add pretty heels + gemstone and/or pearl necklaces + toned earrings + bangles.
4. Slide a flowy blouse under a slip dress. You might like to add sandals & a leopard-print or straw hat.

Slip Dress With A Kimono or Duster:

1. A kimono over a slip dress.  Add wedge sandals + jewelry of choice.
2. Or, with a kimono, add a long scarf twisted low in front with both ends hanging + a long charm necklace.  You might also like to add a slave bracelet and/or a hip-slung belt.
3. Layer a printed black kimono over a short black slip dress & skinny blue jeans. Add a long pendant.  
4. A slip dress + a matching-color duster or kimono.  Add a statement necklace + cuff + bracelets + a clutch. 
   

   

5. Wear a slip dress over a t-shirt with skinny jeans & a duster over it.  Add heels. 
6. Match a crochet duster to the color of a slip dress (such as gray duster & gray dress) and wear over skinny blue jeans. Add a long pendant.
7. With a slip dress & a duster, you might like to wear tall boots or booties.

With An Oversize Shirt, Jacket or Cardigan:

1. A slip dress + an oversize shirt, jacket or cardigan.  You might like to add a choker.
2. Layer a draped cardigan over a slip dress, such as a navy cardi over a gray dress.
3. A slip dress + a slip underneath + a long lacy cardigan or duster.  You might want to tie on a narrow belt, add necklaces and tan or taupe ankle boots.
4. A slip dress + a colorful ethnic jacket.  You might like to add a couple of pendants and a bracelet.
5. Combine a slip dress with a skirt or dress & an open-knit cardigan.  Add a long pendant.  You may also want to add a narrow headband, bracelets, rings.
6. A white slip dress + a tan safari jacket.  You might like to add a brown belt, straw bag, a cap, pearls.
7. A slip dress + a chambray shirt worn as a jacket + Birkenstock sandals.
8. Wear a shirt open as a jacket over a slip dress.  You might like to add heeled sandals.
9. Top a slip dress with a utility jacket & add booties.

With A Tank Top:

1. A slip dress over a tank top + same color flared jeans.  Add a long pendant.
2. A slip dress over a lace camisole or tank + super skinny jeans.  Add a belt over it and some bracelets.
3. Layer a jean jacket & a tank top over a slip dress.  Add a chain belt or two + flat sandals + a fringed bag (no need to match bag).

With A T-Shirt:

1. Layer a slip dress over a t-shirt & matching leggings.  You may like to add sneakers.
2. A short-sleeve tunic over a slip dress + a draped vest or cardigan + a jean jacket.  You might like to add a friendship bracelet with a bangle + a big ring + a couple of necklaces + cage sandals.
3. A slim tank + biker shorts or a thin mini-skirt or slip + a slip dress + a light and flowing skirt (longer than the dress) + a loose-fitting top (one that fans out at the bottom is good) + a jacket if chilly (draped, flowing, fur, etc.).
4. Layer a tunic tee over a slip dress.  You might want to add a draped cardigan over.
5. Wear a slip dress over a graphic tee + skinny or straight-cut jeans.  Add earrings + a cuff paired with a bracelet.
6. A slip dress + a t-shirt + slip-on sneakers.
7. A white tee + jeans under a slip dress.

With A Vest or Jacket:

1. Add a dress extender under a short slip dress & a long, draping, chiffon vest over it.  Add strappy sandals + a few delicate necklaces.
2. A white tee 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.
3. Top a slip dress with a white blazer.  Add heeled sandals + a sculptural bag + sunglasses if sunny.

With A Tunic:

1. Layer a georgette tunic + a slip dress + skinny jeans.  You might like to add sandals.
2. A short slip dress + a sleeveless tunic top + palazzo pants.  Add a long pendant + flat sandals + sunglasses.
3. A slip dress + a long tank + a tunic (solid or printed.)  Each layer should be shorter than the one before.
4. Pair a white tunic with an ivory slip dress.  Add heeled sandals.
5. A slip dress + lace turtleneck under it + a tunic over it (short-sleeve or long-sleeve, black or other color).  You may want to add gladiator sandals.  Try adding a fringed necklace, a cross-body bag.
6. A slip dress + a slip underneath + a tunic over it.

These are just some ideas to help you layer a slip dress for the warm weather months.  So what do you think?  Does a slip dress really have to be sexy?

Let’s Connect!

Are these styling ideas helpful to you?  Please leave a reply below!

Do you have a friend who would like this?  Please use the Share buttons below.

Never miss a post! Get Your True Self Blog sent to you each week by clicking “Subscribe” in the drop-down at top or fill in the blanks for the “Newsletter” at right. That would be a great help in supporting my blog. I would appreciate it very much!

I now have a Shop page where you can purchase for a nominal price one of my Style Guides. Over time, I will add more and more. Please support Your True Self. Visit my Shop HERE. Or go to the top of this page and select the Shop tab. Thanks!

You can follow Your True Self Blog on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and/or Bloglovin.

This post is linked up with the #ShareAllLinkUp at Not Dressed As Lamb.

Related posts:

How to Layer a Slip Dress Like a Pro Over 25 Outfit Ideas to Give You the Greatest Enjoyment Wearing a Crochet Skirt How to Dress the Warmest on the Coldest Days

Outfit Combinations, Style Inspiration, Ways to Wear It

Layering, Slip Dress, Spring/Summer, Style