6 ways to style a slip dress | my little red slip dress

In an ongoing effort to wear whatever I want, regardless of my weight or body shape — both of which ebb and flow with the seasons and how much I indulge while travelling — or the ideals set forth in magazines, I bought a slip dress. Nay, I bought and continue to rock a slip dress. But despite the grand ocean that is Google, surfing for ideas about styling my lovely new red slip dress was, well, lacking.

So I took matters into my own hands and figured out how to take this hot little number from summer to fall and beyond by changing up a few key accessories, layering with Ts and jackets, and by pairing it with different footwear.

Because for me, shopping always comes down to cost-per-wear. That is, how much an item of clothing costs me during its lifetime based on how many times I can wear it. The more wear I can get out of something, the lower the cost in the long run.

The red satin slip dress I use throughout this post  — sometimes also called a sheath dress — is from Aritzia and I bought it in the summer for around $110. I’ve since worn it at least five times, making it $22 per wear right now. (That’s #ShoppingMath and I’m sticking to it!)

Aritzia always seems to have some variation on the slip dress on shelves, so even though this one may be long gone by the time you read this, there’s likely a newbie in its place. I’ve seen them at lots of other retailers, too. At the end of the day, the ’90s slip dress is still alive and well, so I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding one in your local shops.

I can sometimes go a bit crazy on accessories and footwear, though, so while I’ve noted below where each item is from, you can very easily substitute it with a necklace/purse/pair of shoes/etc that works for your budget. That said, each of them has done me well and have been very worth the investment.

Drumroll… slip dress styling in 6 different ways:

Slip dress look No. 1

Remember the ’90s slip dress? Not much has changed, except designers know more about cutting on the bias these days, creating an even more flattering silhouette. (Photo credit: Kristen Recalis Photography)

This is one of the two basic slip-dress-only looks I’m featuring, but another easy-breezy look would be no jewelry and a pair of flip flops. This is why I love the versatility of a slip dress!

• Clothing: Just the red slip dress, y’all
• Jewelry: Necklace from Boketto Lane; right-hand ring inherited from my grandmother
• Shoes: Flat gladiator-style Rockstud sandals from Valentino (I told you — I’m crazy for shoes)

Slip dress look No. 2

You don’t have to be rail thin to wear a sheath dress. They’re quite forgiving and I actually find curvier bodies look even better in them! (Photo credit: Kristen Recalis Photography)

And voila! Toss on a pair of heels and add a cute evening bag, and you’re ready to walk the red carpet.

• Clothing: Just that cami slip dress again
• Jewelry: Earrings from Boketto Lane; right-hand ring inherited from my grandmother
• Purse: Satin wristlet from Givenchy
• Shoes: Leopard print heels from Joie

Slip dress look No. 3

Whether you get a silk slip dress or a satin slip dress won’t make much difference in terms of the way it feels and hangs, but satin is a heck of a lot easier to take care of. You can wash it at home and it’s basically wrinkle-free. (Photo credit: Kristen Recalis Photography)

I love how dressed-down a slip dress can be, making it great for even the most basic outings.

• Clothing: Slip dress from Aritzia; T-shirt from Anthropologie; socks from Knix
• Jewelry: Necklace from from Boketto Lane; bracelet from Tiffany & Co.; right-hand ring inherited from my grandmother
• Shoes: Sneakers from Adidas

Slip dress look No. 4

I loved this red slip dress from the moment I put it on, and it’s carried me through many occasions — from dressy functions to casual dinner dates. (Photo credit: Kristen Recalis Photography)

Keep it cute and casual with a simple jean jacket (in any colour!) and layer your slip dress with a tank or T-shirt depending on the weather.

• Clothing: Jean jacket from Levi’s; slip dress from Aritzia; T-shirt from Anthropologie; socks from Knix
• Jewelry: Necklace from from Boketto Lane; bracelet from Tiffany & Co.
• Shoes: Sneakers from Adidas

Slip dress look No. 5

Styling this slip dress was easy once I threw out the rules. Who says you can’t wear boots or flats with a dress? (Photo credit: Kristen Recalis Photography)

I think this is my favourite look of all, in part because of the contrast between the leather and satin, in part because of the ethnic flare that the necklace and purse add without feeling too OTT.

• Clothing: Leather motorcycle jacket from True Religion; slip dress from Aritzia
• Jewelry: Necklace from from Boketto Lane; right-hand ring inherited from my grandmother
• Purse: This clutch (with an optional chain inside) was a gift from a wonderful friend who went to Morrocco
• Shoes: bootie heels from Acne

Slip dress look No. 6

You’d think finding slip dress styling ideas would be easier since this style has been around for so long…

I love the edgy rock-chic look that can be achieved with something as dainty and feminine as a slip dress.

• Clothing: Leather motorcycle jacket from True Religion; T-shirt from Anthropologie; slip dress from Aritzia
• Jewelry: Earrings from Boketto Lane; right-hand ring inherited from my grandmother
• Purse: Mini Pandora bag from Givenchy
• Shoes: Flat booties from Alexander Wang

I hope you use this as a springboard to create your own unique looks, and that it may even inspire you to take out a few of your summer dresses and think about ways you can make them work for the cooler weather, too. Go make that cost-per-wear work in your favour!

DISCLAIMER: There isn’t one! Boketto Lane lent me these accessories. No brands sponsored this post at all, and I paid for my dress and all of the otherwise noted clothing items and accessories.