Once worn as an undergarment to smooth out and add shape to clothing, the slip skirt has long been liberated from beneath heavier skirts and dresses, emerging as a viable sartorial piece in its own right.
Partly thanks to the resurgence of the ‘90s style slip dress, the slip skirt is having a moment in the spotlight. Light, flattering, and easy to style, the slip skirt’s versatility is unmatched by its dress counterpart; able to be worn with mules and a blazer to work or teamed with sandals and a crop top for a cute summer look.
What is a slip skirt
A slip skirt is a woman’s skirt, traditionally designed to be worn as an undergarment. Slip skirts are generally bias cut and come in materials like silk or satin. Contemporary iterations of the slip skirt are designed to be worn as an outer garment and range from midi to maxi lengths, with asymmetrical options available.
How to wear a slip skirt
The most flattering slip skirts are typically made with slinky materials like silk and satin and cut on the bias, which provides the skirt with a luxurious feel, gives it more stretch than a straight cut skirt, and allows it to drape fluidly over your body. The adaptable nature of the slip skirt allows it to to be worn for pretty much any occasion.
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Here are our 5 favourite ways to wear a slip skirt.
1. Slip skirt with a jumper
During the cooler months, a knitted jumper or sweater keeps you warm while its chunky silhouette perfectly balances out the clean lines of a slip. Try going for a tonal outfit by pairing a light pink sweater with a darker pink slip skirt, go monochrome in all black or beige, or opt for a brighter ensemble by teaming two brightly coloured pieces together! Finish the look off with knee-high boots or pumps.
2. With a matching top
Elevate the slip skirt to formal status by pairing it with a matching top; we love options by Paris Georgia and Fleur du Mal. Team your outfit with kitten heels, pointed-toe pumps, or slingbacks.
3. Cinched in with a belt or bum bag
The once daggy bum bag now serves a dual purpose; to cinch your waist in and provide shape, while carrying your items. A hoodie or loose jumper provides the perfect foil to a feminine silky skirt, while a blazer and belt bag ensemble looks effortlessly chic and put together.
4. Slip skirt and a t-shirt
Contrast the sultry silhouette of the slip with a t-shirt. Team a printed silk skirt with a plain tee (a leopard-print skirt works particularly well with a plain black or white t-shirt), or pair a plain slip skirt with a graphic tee. Slip on some mules or heeled boots, or opt for sneakers for a more casual look.
5. Tonal dressing
One of the easiest ways to look polished and put together is mastering tonal dressing. Rather than going full monochrome from head to toe, team multiple pieces from the same colour family together. We particularly love rust hues and different shades of green.
The best slip skirts to buy in 2024
Here are the slip skirts we’re coveting right now.
1. Silk Laundry Long Bias Cut Skirt
Made from luxurious pure momme silk, Silk Laundry’s midi skirt is cut on the bias, bestowing it with a flowy drapey effect. Team it with a camisole and heeled sandals in the summer or a cosy knit and knee-high boots during the cooler months.
2. Anine Bing Bar Silk-Satin Midi Skirt
Bias cut and form-flattering, the Anine Bing’s Bar Midi Skirt is crafted from a silk-satin in a versatile grey hue, making it perfect for tonal and colour-block dressing alike.
3. Dôen Elowen Skirt
Los Angeles brand Dôen puts its signature romantic spin on the slip skirt, with this bias cut iteration featuring a delicate scallop lace-trimmed elastic waist and contrast elastic hem.
4. Loro Piana Layered Silk-Satin Midi Skirt
For those who find conventional slip skirts difficult to style, the layered, asymmetrical design of the Loro Piana Layered Silk-Satin Midi Skirt does the work for you, adding enough visual interest that you can keep it simple on top with a tucked-in mock neck top or tank top. Alternatively, play with proportions by teaming it with an oversized silk button-down shirt.
5. Banana Republic Bliss Silk Maxi Skirt
Cut on the bias and featuring asymmetrical details, this maxi skirt offering from Banana Republic falls elegantly, without clinging to the body.
6. Nanushka Fea Satin Maxi Skirt
Another maxi length iteration, the Nanushka Fea Satin Maxi Skirt is crafted from forest-friendly acetate, made with cellulose from wood produced in responsibly managed forests, making it an eco-friendly alternative to conventional silk. Its bias cut ensures a form-flattering fit while the refined colour acts as a viable alternative to typical neutrals like black and cream.
7. Reformation Layla Silk-Satin Midi Slip Skirt
Bias cut with a relaxed fit, this midi can be pared back or dressed up. We particularly like it styled with a cropped cardigan and low slingback heels.
Tips for choosing the best slip skirt
While selecting the right slip skirt seems like a relatively easy task, there are a few core details to look out for.
- Look for bias cut slip skirts. Bias cut means the fabric has been cut on the diagonal at a 45° angle; this allows typically non-stretchy material (like silk) to have more of a stretch, resulting in a more flowy, draped effect with a form-flattering finish.
- Opt for a silk slip skirt if possible. While silk skirts may retail for more than their acetate or polyester counterparts, it’s a worthy investment with silk having a more elevated finish and lasting longer. Another viable material choice is cupro, a sustainable fabric made with wood cellulose which resembles the sheen and softness of silk — it’s used in the Nanushka maxi skirt above.
- Understanding satin vs. silk: there’s often confusion regarding the terms satin and silk. Silk is a natural fibre which can be woven into a cloth, while satin is a type of weave in which the threads of the warp are caught and looped by the weft only at certain intervals. A satin weave can be performed on any fibre including cotton, linen, and viscose, and bestows it with a shiny appearance. Many of the slip skirts on this list are silk-satin (i.e. made of the natural fibre silk, woven with a satin weave) which gives them a soft feeling on the skin and a shiny finish.
Words by Arabella Johnson
