I’ve mentioned earlier this year just how much I’ve been loving the understated slip dress trend. While this piece isn’t the most relevant for wearing at home right now, I picked it out a while back for this post with Banana Republic, and wanted to show 4 different pairing ideas and a few styling tips & tricks! Looks 2 through 4 each utilize a different tucking or belting tip, and at the bottom of this post are a few petite friendly try ons!
Sale Alert: Banana Republic is offering 50% off + extra 10% off sitewide, no code needed (ends 4/1)!
Look 1: minimalistic
A good slip dress gently skims the curves, and isn’t too fitted or baggy. This one doesn’t look like much on a hanger, but it grazes the figure nicely, and the shoulder straps are adjustable by tying in the back center. The upper back is elegant yet sexy with a slight V dip, and the fabric is very lightweight and fully lined. I always wear my adhesive nippies instead of a bra with tops and dresses like this!
Look 2: monochromatic with a sweater tucked into a belt
The use of a waist belt here creates a “shelf” for tucking in your top, allowing almost any dress to be styled as a skirt. This also works if you have a longer sweater or want to hide the belt – simply cover the belt with the sweater and tuck it in under the bottom of the belt.
I love the juxtaposition of fabrics and cuts here, with a fluffy sweater in a slouchier cut, styled against smooth satin in a figure grazing cut.
Look 3: belted blouson-style with a blazer
Another old styling trick I shared before (see picture 3 in this post) is to add a slim waist belt, then pull out some of the dress fabric in the torso area and let it fold over the belt. This creates a blouson effect at the waist area, and also temporarily “shortens” the hemline of the dress.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of this blazer color on me (it also comes in black and many more colors in Regular), however I am a fan of the wrinkle resistant, machine washable fabric and sleek collar-less cut. Fit wise, I thought this ran a little big.
Look 4: knotted under a top + boots
See my older post on how to knot a looser sweater or tee over a dress! I also used the fold-fabric-over-the-belt trick mentioned in pairing idea #3 to shorten the hemline of the dress, so that it doesn’t overlap with the top of the boots.
Here’s a couple other items I’ve tried on from Banana Republic over the past season!
Cap Toe Slingbacks
The online reviews are mixed, but after trying these on, these are just as expected and a classic, comfortable low pump in my opinion. These are similar to my old BR cap toe heels that sold out quickly in small sizes, except these have a wide slingback (in my opinion, this wider leather slingback strap feels more comfortable off the bat and doesn’t dig in like thinner elastic backings might) and with a low, more walking friendly block heel. FYI, these run a tad big and on the wide side. I’m usually between size 5 and 5.5, and these fit me in size 5.
Puff sleeve cropped top
Very cute, fitted top with dramatic but not overwhelming puff sleeves (hard to show in the picture, but the puffs have a light, airy feel to them). This top is double layered which helps with sheerness, and the back center is a fully elasticized panel which provides stretch and comfort (fit is pretty snug on me in the torso). The length is just long enough to tuck into my jeans here, but I think a top like this would be adorable tucked into a flowy skirt for summer.
Duster cardigan sweater
This is a very lightweight, basic cardigan but in a versatile color. The weight of this sweater is just a tad thicker than an older linen cardigan I have, so the lighter colors in this are probably a little sheer. Fit is true to size.
Scoop-neck belted jumpsuit
This try on was snapped last month … the sunglasses indoors are a result of Nori giving me an accidental black eye, lol! I thought this jumpsuit was TTS and draped nicely. The fabric has nice weight to it and torso is double lined, and there are functional side angled pockets. Due to the belt though, this one will take another extra minute in the bathroom compared to pull on / pull off jumpsuits!
Thank you to Banana republic for partnering on this post.
Hi- do you have any other recommendations for similar slip dresses? I’m just catching up on your blog and it looks like I missed the one from BR in the smaller sizes
Hi Dorothy, Express has a similar one that they release in new colors every so often. But, like with this one, the small sizes tend to sell out quickly!
Love these looks! Just wondering, when tucking in the sweater into the slip, how do you keep the front of your slip smooth? I’m having a hard time keeping the outline/bulge from the sweater (or shirt) underneath from showing through! Thanks!
Hi Michelle! In the photo shown the sweater is worn over a slip dress so it’s just knotted and tucked up (I have a tutorial on how to do that linked above the photo!) But when tucking into a skirt, I make sure to first tuck it into whatever shape wear I have on, I really like Uniqlo’s options, to help with the bulkiness. Hope this helps! x Jean
Each outfit is so cute! One for every occasion. My favorite is look 2 with the sweater and belt.
Just wondering where your couch went in the last picture.
Ha…we move it every so often so my toddler has more room to play!
I have yet to jump on the slip dress bandwagon but I love how it looks on you especially #1. You look amazing in this dress Jean!
Maureen
Love the satin slip dress! You always look so beautiful and elegant!
Thanks so much, MM, hope you’re staying safe and healthy. xx
In LOVE with Look 2! Just gorgeous xx
Jean, you’re so beautiful! Everything looks good on you! I couldn’t wear a slip dress, even with all of the options you presented, but thank you for the very lovely post.
Hi Carolyn, you are kind! Thank you for the sweet comment and I hope you’re staying well during this crazy time. xx
Love these looks dear!
Mireia from TGL
You look gorgeous in all outfits!
Btw are the links working properly as they take me to a dead end?!
Mariya
Thank you for letting me know, Mariya! We’re still trying to fix them : /
Awesome outfits! My fave is the first one!