How to Style a Silk Slip Dress for Fall
If you, like me, have become totally enamored with silk slip dresses, this is the blog post for you. Yes! They are everywhere. And Yes! They are feminine, functional and can be flattering. They can also be challenging to work with as the weather cools off. If you adore the idea of a silk slip dress but find that it doesn’t feel flattering on your frame or is a chore to style, we’ve got you covered.
Before we begin, All Saints has a stellar collection of “2 in 1s” or “two-fers.” Either name refers to a sweater that comes with a silk slip dress. They are beautiful and not inexpensive. This is one of my favorites. Enjoy a wide variety of prices and several styling options just for YOU. As always, I’d love to hear how it goes. Happy Fall, Dear Reader.
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What You Need to Know to Style Your Silk Slip Dress this Fall
Choose the Ideal Slip Dress for Your Figure
The most important thing to know about a silk or satin slip dress is that a shiny fabric reflects light differently than an opaque option. Specifically, your eye will be drawn to the parts of your body that are curvier than the rest of your figure. So, if you’d like to draw attention to your bust, a shiny top is an ideal way to do that. At the same time, a shiny slip dress will draw the eye to your stomach or hips, if either or both of those are curvy. Be thoughtful about areas that make you feel self conscious when styling your slip dress. It absolutely doesn’t mean that you must avoid silk or satin slip dresses if you have curves on the bottom that you may want to minimize. It just means that you need to style accordingly.
The Perfect Slip Dress Styling for Each Body Type
Triangle
Ready to minimize your lower half? Opt for a boxy sweater that hits just over your stomach, giving the impression that your stomach is flatter. Wearing a heel will flatter your frame even more. Finish off this approach with a bolder color or print on top and a more subdued color on the bottom.
hourglass
A silk or satin slip dress is a major win for your body type. Maintain your natural balance and show off your curves in any number of styles. I especially love the cowl neck and ruching that hug the hourglass frame. Really, the less boxy the better for you.
Rectangle
Any style slip dress is flattering on a traditional rectangle body type. If you’re ready to layer up for cold weather, opt for feminine pieces that give the illusion you have more curves.
Diamond
A silk or satin slip dress is a scary proposition for a diamond figure as that fabric can be especially unflattering for a curvy stomach. The easiest route to success is opting for the boxy sweater approach listed for Triangle figures. If you are ready to try something that shows off the top of the dress, go with a long jacket that draws the eye to your vertical middle, rather than your horizontal middle. Jewelry and a heel will help seal the deal.
Inverted Triangle
Satin or silk slip dresses can be super flattering on an Inverted Triangle frame as the shiny fabric draws the eye down balancing your figure. Remember that spaghetti straps can make your shoulders look broader because they are not proportional to your strong top half. Look for slip dresses with a wider strap, when possible. If you are layering for fall, the straps might not matter as much.
And there you have it! I can’t wait to hear what you think and how you are styling your slip dresses.
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