Mini slip dresses on thin straps for cocktails and dates
A mini slip dress is about as little dress as a party allows, with skinny straps, open shoulders and a hem well above the knee. We make three for the cold season, one in red satin and two in velvet. The timing isn’t odd, since winter is when the parties are.
Red satin with thin straps and a deep V
The red one is the classic slip. Satin slides over the body and catches the light, and its thin straps run into a deep V-neck that opens the shoulders and chest. It isn’t natural silk, just smooth glossy satin. There are no sleeves, so you won’t overheat in a heated room full of people.
For a date or a night of cocktails we’d add stiletto sandals and tiny earrings. Leave the necklace off. Red looks best beside black and gold, so a black oversized blazer over your shoulders is the easy winter answer, plus sheer tights. With that blazer kept on, this mini slip dress can even go to the office holiday party.
Emerald and black velvet for the dance floor
Velvet changes the mood. Its pile is soft, and under party lights the emerald turns deeper, so you don’t need much jewelry. A thin chain will do. The black version has the same straps and the same short length, and velvet gives that black real depth.
Here’s a detail we like about the black one. Its velvet doesn’t crease or pick up static, so you can fold it into a bag, pull it out at a friend’s place and put it straight on. Club, cocktails, dinner for two. On the way there, hide your shoulders under an oversized blazer and take it off when the dancing starts.
What goes under a strappy mini, and which size
What goes underneath? For the satin V, a strapless or stick-on bra. Under velvet, seamless underwear with clear straps works too. When you try a slip on, look at the bust line first. Those straps should lie flat without pulling or cutting in, and the top edge should stay level. That’s why we size these by bust, with hips as a second check on the satin. All three are sewn in XS to XL, so an L is about a US 10.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really wear a slip in winter?
Yes, that’s when ours are meant to be worn. Add a blazer or a long coat and tights for the street, then drop the layers indoors.
My velvet arrived creased. What now?
Hang it up and steam the wrong side. Keep the iron off the pile.
Which shoes suit a short slip?
Stilettos. Sandals with the red satin, closed heels with velvet if it’s cold out.
Where can I find a longer slip or other colors?
All lengths live under slip dresses. There’s a page for satin slips, another for slips in black, and more short velvet under velvet minis.
