Fashion trend: The slip dress

Fashion trend: The slip dress

HOW TO WEAR A SLIP DRESS

A fashionable feature of the 90’s, is the slip dress and it is making an effortless impression as this season’s must-have item.  Alexander Wang, Burberry and Paco Rabanne have all featured this classic dress in their latest collections.  

It can be quite daunting trying to wear a dress which quite frankly looks like lingerie.  Here are some fantastic tips so that you can wear the slip dress with a new found confidence.

Keep it cool, relaxed and simple. Try wearing a basic black slip dress with thin spaghetti straps and style it with strappy sandals.

There are hundreds of ways to wear a slip dress but one of the simplest and most classic ways to be styled daytime, you can wear turtleneck pullovers long sleeve shirts, blouses or basic shirts underneath your slip dress.  If you're not prepared to go braless then a T-shirt worn underneath will give you the coverage you need.

Take your dress to dinner by wearing with an open cardigan. I really like the contrast and the mix of materials.  For maximum effect add a pop of colour.  Rock this elegant look with a pair of this season's sexy mules.

The slip dress lends itself extremely well to layering, and I could easily wear one underneath a jumper, or over a t-shirt.

Length is key. Too short and it looks too close to sleepwear; midi or floor-length looks more modern. Try wearing one under a skirt or another dress so you can see a bit of lace poking out underneath the hem. Or just opt for a silk camisole worn under a biker jacket with jeans.

Don’t be afraid to hide that waist, grab a belt, wrap it around the slip dress and show off your features.

The cut is key, anything on the bias is usually really flattering as it hugs the small part of your waist and skims over your hips and a good fabric is essential, too, a good quality silk will smooth out lumps and bumps, not accentuate them. 

Here are a few chic slip dress pieces that will ensure you are on trend this season.

VICTORIA VICTORIA BECKHAM Slip dress with beaded embroidery

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Embellished Slip Dress

T BY ALEXANDER WANG Draped Slip Dress in Jersey

GALVAN Floor length panty dress with satin

BRETT ROBSON cassey velour slip dress with chain straps & crop tee blush

For a little more inspiration, take a look at how these fashion bloggers are styling their slip dresses this season.

I hope these style tips on wearing the slip dress have given you some inspiration! Till' next time xo



WHAT DO YOU THINK?



Editors notes:  This post was originally posted in October 2016 and has been updated

FIDM MUSEUM....."Fashion Philanthropy" Exhibition, from The Linda & Steven Plochocki Collection

FIDM MUSEUM....."Fashion Philanthropy" Exhibition, from The Linda & Steven Plochocki Collection

Golden Dress: A Boue Soeurs Paris France Silk Tulle and Silk Satin "Presentation Dress"--The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Even though the 11th Annual Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition closed earlier this month, if you are a FASHION COUTURE ENTHUSIAST, you still have plenty of time to swing by the FIDM Museum in Downtown Los Angeles to enjoy the beautiful "Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection".

           The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los                                                                                     Angeles



The Exhibition showcases collected, purchased and donated items--both garments and accessories--from the Plochocki's collection, and explores Linda's fascination with all things floral and embroidered. In addition to 19th and 20th century pieces, the show also highlights contemporary designs by Prada, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Raf Simons for Christian Dior. FIDM Museum Creative Director Peter Lam's hand-crafted paper flowers adorn the walls and accentuate the blush and grey color scheme. 

Linda and Steven Plochocki (Center), with Barbara Bundy (Far left) FIDM Museum Director and Vice President of Education and Tonian Hohberg, President of FIDM--Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection at FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Here are some photos of the GLORIOUS COUTURE on display:

Couture Garden: Historical Ladies Garments from the Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection--on display at "Fashion Philanthropy Exhibition: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

(Left to right): Evening Dress c. 1837-40 evening dress of silk brocade and a 1908 "Afternoon Gown" of gray silk satin and silk chiffon trimmed with embroidered silk flowers from "Liberty and Company" LTD London...

The front bodice of the 1908 "Afternoon Gown" simulates a jacket as seen in the close-up above--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Chic Debutante: A 1928 presentation dress worn by Miss Sallie Bell Gaston at the Dallas Country Club. Made by Boué Souers in Paris. The dress is of silk tulle, silk satin, lamé, metallic floss and silk ribbon embroidery--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Glam Winter Coat: Charles Worth c. 1885 silk velvet brocade coat, trimmed in sable--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Pouffed & Cinched: A jacket-bodice c. 1898 by Jaques Doucet. Iridescent silk taffeta, silk chiffon, silk satin ribbon, silk lace, and silk chenille (notice how TEENY-TINY the wearer must have been back in that era)---"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Asiana Fab: Andrienne Landau velvet & fur coat, c. 2000--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Raining Flowers: Raf Simons for Dior Spring/Summer 2016 coat/parka--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Alta Moda: 1965 Valentino Garavani silk crepe coat with glass beads, rhinestones, metallic and silk thread and synthetic raffia--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Nuptials Couture: Wedding Gown c. 1878 by Emile Pingat made of silk faille, netting, chiffon, floss, satin, cotton and lace. Orange blossoms made of colored wax detail the gown. The dress is 139 YEARS OLD and in PERFECT CONDITION; better than some of my NIKOLAKI gowns that are worn on the red carpet after one night's event!--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Here are the DETAILS of the fabulous exhibition:

WHAT: Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection 



WHEN: Runs through December 22, 2017



WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries 

                919 South Grand Avenue, Ground Floor 

                Los Angeles California 90015

                Entrance on Grand Hope Park side



COST: FREE!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Begins his FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Tour in FIDM San Francisco!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Begins his FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Tour in FIDM San Francisco!

City by the Bay Couture and Fashion School FAB-U-Lousnesss!!!!!

Nick In Heaven: Nick Verreos at the de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition San Francisco

Last week, I began my 2011 FIDM 3 Days of Fashion "Tour". As the Official Spokesperson--and Alumn of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, I travel to all the Campuses for their annual "3 Days of Fashion" EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! Three Days of Fashion is the event where high-school and post graduates:

• Discover new and exciting career options
• Take workshops such as Draping, Creative Thinking, and Product Development
• Learn how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure
• Find out what a Designer really does
• Meet FIDM Grads who have found success and are doing what they love
• Find out how the industry gets the latest information about trends
• Tour some of the best shopping spots in the world
• Get the answers to all your questions from the people who really know: the working professionals

My first stop was San Francisco:

I flew up to San Francisco from my home base in Los Angeles on Virgin America (my plane above)--one of my favorite airlines! The flight attendants are always so friendly and I love the ordering food and drinks from the TV screen thing--even on a one-hour flight!

Chic Airport: SFO Terminal 2

I landed in SFO's spankin' brand (almost) new Terminal 2. The terminal was outfitted with cool red "egg" chairs and an overall post-modern design aesthetic: Loved it! Reminded me of the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK. After getting my suitcase (I brought gowns kids!!!), I got to the City and checked into my room at one of my FAVE SF Hotels--the Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco.

Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco San Francisco "Welcome"

As always, there was a "Welcome Nick!" bottle of wine (Hello!) and glasses for me to enjoy. Sometimes there is a cheese-and-snack plate but not this time unfortunately. Maybe this was a "Welcome with a small 'w' ". But nevertheless, I was very THANKFUL for the wine but I saved it for later because besides making my FIDM SF "3 Days of Fashion" appearance, I had one other thing on my mind and that was:

De Young Museum: Balenciaga and Spain

Yes....going to the De Young Museum and visiting the "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition Hello??? My Northern California friend Didi Simon and I drove to the Museum (I ordered the tickets online beforehand) and we went and enjoyed EVERY single COUTURE Gown of it!

It was AMAZING!!! The Exhibition closes on July 4th and I will be traveling to Europe July 5th so this was the ONLY time I could see it!!! It was GLORIOUS!!! I absolutely LOVE , adore, admire Cristobal Balenciaga and his creations so to me, it was like being in Fashion Heaven! The Exhibition is organized into six "Inspiration" sections: Spanish Art, Regional Dress, the Spanish Court, Religious Life and Ceremony, the Bullfight, and Dance.

Gown Central: "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition, De Young Museum San Francisco

At one point, I gave an impromptu "Haute Couture Lesson/Tour" as I was describing all the intricacies of the Art of Haute Couture and construction/seaming to my friend Didi, and then I turned around and there were about TEN or so other exhibit visitors listening! And funny enough, many visitors recognized me and were very happy that A) I was there, and B) I was giving them a FREE knowledgeable mini-tour!

But soon, it was time to make my "special appearance" at FIDM SF's "3 Days of Fashion":

I always LOVE coming to San Francisco and the FIDM SF!!! They always treat me like a Star! Today was supposed to be the final day of their annual "3 Days of Fashion" and I was their "special guest star"!!!

FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Welcome

As part of the "3 Days of Fashion" events, FIDM SF organizers have a fun-and-fabulous "Project FIDM" fashion show, where participants get to "re-create" and "re-cycle" garments and then have a fashion show that is judged a la Project Runway.

Jackets Required: FIDM SF Alumna Julia A. Hill and Nick Verreos, FIDM San Francisco "2011 3 Days of Fashion"

For the 2nd consecutive year, I was joined by Clinton Kelly's (from TLC's "What Not To Wear") Executive Assistant and new Director of Design for his QVC line--FIDM SF Alumn Julia A. Hill as one of my co-judges of that aforementioned contest. She was looking VERY "NY Vogue Magazine Jr. Editor" in her pleated high-waist khaki trousers, lilac tank and black "Boyfriend" jacket.

Judges Judging: Julia A. Hill Nick Verreos and three Guest Student Judges discuss who the winners of "Project FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion" will be

Model Rachael Sitz in NIKOLAKI red silk satin-back crepe backless gown with...

Swarovski crystal straps, gathered back and Godet-train

In addition to the Contest, I also brought several of my NIKOLAKI Red Carpet Dresses to show the "3 Days of Fashion" attendees. The dresses were modeled by Look Model Agency model Rachael Sitz, one of the BEST--and favorite--models in San Francisco!!

Model Rachael Sitz in the NIKOLAKI lilac hand-beaded lilac cocktail dress, FIDM SF 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

I even brought THE "Katy Perry" dress--a lilac-colored hand-beaded one-shoulder sequin dress that Katy Perry wore to launch her Purr Perfume. Yes, kids, Miss Katy Perry wore one of my designs!!!

Say "Hi" San Francisco: FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Attendees, waiting for an autograph and a photo

Posin' Fashionistas: FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" attendees and Nick Verreos (center)--and a signed t-shirt

FIDM Goodie Bags:Nick Verreos, Julia A. Hill and Winners pose with their autographed FIDM bags, FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion

All in all, I had a BLAST at FIDM San Francisco's "3 Days of Fashion"; the Contest, the fashion show, showing my gowns/dresses, I even stayed a coupe of hours afterward and signed autographs and took pics with each and every one of the attendees! (which I LUV doing!)

I was even asked to sign someone's iPhone!!! Someone's iPhone may end up on Ebay...

Thanks San Francisco and Northern California for a FAB FIDM "3 Days of Fashion"!! Can't wait to come back!!!!!