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The best slip dresses to shop this spring
Whether for work or weddings, this versatile staple will see you through the warmer months with ease
The slip dress is one of the few items that's managed to achieve staple status in recent years. The mark of a true capsule piece is not just in its timeless appeal, but the ability to be dressed up and down effortlessly. Versatility is everything.
Back in the Nineties, when designers like Calvin Klein and Narciso Rodriguez introduced us to this 'underwear-as-outerwear' trend, it was seen as a risqué evening look – and most definitely not daywear. When Princess Diana attended the 1996 Met Gala in a lace-edged navy satin maxi, a tabloid furore ensured. Similarly scandalous was a young Kate Moss' first dalliance with the dress back in 1993 (although to be fair, the flash of the camera did turn her silvery slip completely see-through).Things have since changed: in an increasingly informal society, the boundaries between eveningwear and casualwear are blurring.
By ridding your wardrobe of its 'day' and 'night' limitations, you can get more experimental with weekend looks and shop more sustainably. And the slip dress epitomes this kind of fluid styling: cut from lustrous bias-cut fabric and strung from slender spaghetti straps, it has a louche elegance that can skew either sexy and ladylike or rebellious and grungy, depending on what you wear it with.
Worn solo it can be strikingly minimalist (just add a sleek bun and strappy sandals) or rebellious (think cleated boots). But most impressive of all is this piece's multitasking abilities – throw a blazer over the top to create structure, underpin it with white T-shirts and black turtlenecks, or layer a sweater over the top to create an on-trend slip skirt.
Naturally, we'd recommend starting with a simple black satin maxi for maximum versatility, but more playful designs from the likes of Oséree, J. Crew and Sleeper are hard to resist. We can assure you, whichever you opt to buy, it will never date: that's the beauty of a true staple.
The slip dresses team Bazaar will be wearing all spring
A classic black midi slip dress comes with endless styling options. Elevate yours with strappy sandals and a tuxedo jacket in the evening, or underpin it with a turtlenneck during the day.
Nili Lotan's slip dress is cut from silk-satin and finishes with an ankle-skimming curved hem – which is perfect for showcasing just a peek of the shoes beneath. This one is dyed in an on-trend coffee hue.
Trust Saint Laurent to make a knee-length party dress look so sultry. It’s thanks to sheer lace panelling that exposes just a sliver of skin beneath. Wear this black silk number with one of the brand’s cult tuxedo jackets.
If you’re looking for a fuss-free bridal gown, a white slip could be just the ticket. Rat & Boa’s satin iteration is cut in the simplest 1990s-inspired shape, but georgette godets add beautiful movement for when you're walking down the aisle. Wear this on your wedding day with a lace bolero, or keep it for the afterparty.
Amsterdam-based Róhe is one of our go-tos for lingerie-inspired slip dresses. This black silk style is appliquéd with guipure lace and turns to reveal a low V-back with contemporary strapping details.
Despite its minimalist origins, the slip dress doesn't have to be pared-back in 2025. Sleeper's signature satin dress is topped with a flourish of ostrich feathers: a fun detail that made the Ukrainian brand such a party favourite.
Asceno is the no.1 place to go for silk slip dresses: it started out in 2014 as a nightwear brand and drops several different styles every season. With its bias-cut silhouette and maxi hemline, this onw would work perfectly layered with a bomber or dressed up with strappy sandals.
Olivia Von Halle's silk slip dress is defined by its darted cups and low V-back – this cut combined with the shell-pink hue makes it perfect for parties. In fact, the Issa design is quite the celeb favourite: we've spotted it on Angelina Jolie, Em Rata, Lily Donaldson and Rita Ora.
Arket's playing with proportions of a slip dress here – the asymmetric drop waist flows to a full-skirt that'll swish beautifully as you stride. Note the flattering cowl neck and elegant straps, too.
Ghost is known for its simple yet strategically cut satin slip dresses. This one features thoughtful wider straps, so you can conceal a supportive bra beneath, and falls on the bias to end at the ankles. Available in a range of shades, it's a saviour for times when the dress code has you stumped.
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