The Elegant and Expensive-Looking Dress Trend Fashion People Wear All Year

What do weddings, date nights and bedtime all have in common? You can wear a lace slip-dress on any of these occasions and fit right in. Though the lace slip-dress really comes into its own during party season, this wardrobe staple has seen us through more than one wedding, and some of us have even styled ours with modest layers in the office once or twice. Celebrities have been opting for elevated slip-dresses for many years, choosing the style to see them through red-carpet events and Fashion Week shows time after time.

Alexa Chung wears a Rodarte lace slip-dress at the Rodarte A/W 23 runway show in New York.

The souped-up take on the classic silky slip was most recently pioneered by brands such as SIR and Rodarte, who explored swapping cut-outs for lace inserts, sparking a trend in the process. Since then we’ve seen our high-street favourites catch on, experimenting with colours and lace placements and offering the ever-popular dress at various price points.

Kate Moss wore a Fendi lace slip-dress to the 2023 Met Gala.

You can find so many iterations of the lace slip on the market: thick or thin straps, more lace than slip or more slip than lace; and plainer styles with a subtle lace trim that just quietly frames the dress. Our only styling tip is to mind your underwear choice, because the fine, fluid fabric naturally skims the body and will pick up on an underwear line, so opt for a seamless style.

In terms of styling, take your cue from the street style set, who dress their slips down with trainers and up with kitten heels. As we move into autumn, keep a cardigan or chunky knit in tow and pull out your knee-high boots. In terms of accessories, the lace neckline stands strongly on its own, but it also looks elegant with a necklace or two. We would, however, suggest that you dip into your earrings collection and choose a style that leans on the statement-making side.

Whether you've got a wedding lined up or are looking for a fail-safe date-night option, read on to shop our favourite lace slip-dresses, from high street to high-end.

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Next Up: Sorry Trousers, I Want to Wear One of These 9 Dresses Instead