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Create a lightweight base layer or coverage under see-through garments. spider silk garment
Undergarment slips get a bad rep. While they work as a second-skin base layer, critics of the slinky underclothing will voice concerns about breathability and comfort. In reality, they're just misunderstood, proponents say.
"Not only does everything drape better with a slip, but they're essential if you want to preserve your favorite dress or skirt," Commando founder Kerry O'Brien tells InStyle. Slips became first widely worn towards the end of the 20th century, but there's nothing outdated about them; they've been entirely revitalized. The garment has transformed from layered chiffons with trim lining (think Grandmacore), and restrictive shapewear, into breathable fabrics and eye-catching silhouettes that double as dresses. There are also more size-inclusive options and skin-matching tones than ever before.
So, where to begin? We've got you covered — literally.
What We Love: It's comfortable enough to be loungewear, but compressing enough to be shapewear.
What We Don't Love: It's not double lined, so it might be see-through depending on the color you choose.
This piece does many things right, starting with being appropriately named. Skims' Naked Slip literally feels like you're wearing nothing when it's on. (It's also worth mentioning that it's available in nine skin-tone shades, adding to the nakedness.) The camisole has a buttery fabric that is soft to the touch and feels even smoother on the body. And while the silhouette accentuates your figure, it's (surprisingly) comfortable. This timeless garment puts typical shapewear myths to rest; you don't have to shimmy to get into it, you won't find yourself constantly pulling it down, and you won't even need to wear a bra. Check, check, and check.
Size: XXS–4XL | Length: Mini | Material: Nylon, spandex
What We Love: It's lightweight, breathable, and won't show under clothes even though it's not form-fitting.
What We Don't Love: The slip can run a little small.
For an item meant to act as camouflage, your wallet will notice the difference while shopping for these undergarments. Many on the market run you a pretty penny, but Jockey makes a more affordable option that, despite costing half the price as others, feels luxurious against your skin. This slip dress is so comfy it's easy to forget you're wearing one, and you can take advantage of the breathable fabric as sleepwear, too.
While it won't cling to your body, the slip layers seamlessly under clothes and doesn't appear bulky against lighter fabrics, like a sundress. We still recommend sticking to your original size if you're looking for a tighter fit because it runs small.
Size: S–XL | Length: Mid-thigh | Material: Nylon, spandex
What We Love: Sizes go from S to XXXL+, so this dress offers something for everyone.
What We Don't Love: The length might feel long, especially if you're petite in height.
Knix founder Joanna Griffiths took a risk when she transitioned her lingerie brand from wholesale to 100 percent online when traditional retailers didn't carry such an expansive size assortment — and the decision paid off. The first time I saw the Knix brand was on TikTok, and I was intrigued by how bouncy the product fabric seemed in videos. After testing it out myself, I'm here to confirm those seamless edges look just as sleek in person.
This size-inclusive slip is a smooth, versatile garment that includes interior grippers and adjustable straps for functionality. The sleek undergarment also features a built-in bra with removable cups, catering to the body wearing it in more ways than just one.
Size: S–XXXL+ | Length: Mid-thigh | Material: Nylon, spandex
What We Love: The fabric is stretchy, lightweight, and luxurious.
What We Don’t Love: There are only two color choices.
Compared to a new purse or makeup palette, buying shapewear isn't the most exciting purchase in the world. If you want to limit the number of times you're in the underwear aisle, Wolford creates a beautiful, long-lasting shapewear dress that you'll reach for time and time again. (There's a reason why Blair Waldorf always praised Wolford in "Gossip Girl." This brand knows how to make quality undergarments.)
It offers light compression, and as much as corsets are having a moment, doesn't feel too tight. We love the lightweight material of this dress, which allows it to easily lay undetected underneath clothing, while it also gently shapes the body with a bit of compression. The fabric might seem delicate, but thanks to wide straps and lots of stretch, it will hold up well, offering you coverage and support down to the mid-thigh, just as long as you wash it correctly (machine wash on cold and lay it flat to dry, basically). We only wish this came in more colors.
Size: XS–XL | Length: Mid-thigh | Material: Polyamide, elastane
What We Love: It stays in place and doesn’t bulge.
What We Don’t Love: The sizing options are limited.
Half slips are an underrated option if you’re seeking extra twirl from your skirt. Having this extra layer underneath loose satin or form-fitting skirts lessens the amount of uncomfortable clinging to crevices so you’re left with a seamless look. But if you don’t know where to look, this half skirt from Commando is a solid option. It is uniquely designed to lie flat against the body thanks to its patented weight system. The invisible edges across the hems and seams keep it in place and minimize any bulging, so you wouldn't worry about it riding up or showing any panty lines. We hope the brand expands the sizing options, though, soon, since the offerings right now won’t fit all body sizes.
Size: S/M–M/L | Length: Mid-thigh | Material: Nylon, spandex
What We Love: Provide the right amount of coverage with no constriction to the waist and thighs.
What We Don’t Love: They roll down around the waist.
To decrease any potential thigh chafing or accidental Marilyn Monroe moments, a pair of slip shorts will be a handy addition to your closet. And they even add an extra layer of comfort, especially thanks to the microfiber material that has moisture-wicking abilities on this Jockey pair. These shorts also won’t leave lines around the thighs because they’re not meant to be compressive, just an extra layer, but keep in mind that they do tend to roll down at the waist when you bend over.
Size: S–3X | Length: Mid-thigh | Material: Polyester, nylon, spandex, cotton
What We Love: The deep v-neck accommodates lower cut and button-up dresses.
What We Don’t Love: It will only work for flouncy dresses, so if you have a more figure-hugging option, this might bulge underneath.
Most of the options on this list have a scoop, sweetheart, or straight neckline, which won’t accommodate your lower cut and button-up dresses as much as we might wish they did. So opt for a deep v-neck slip instead, like this one from Dôen, which will fully solve the issue. It does the job of a slip to provide you additional coverage for your dresses, yet it still manages to keep your cleavage showing through (and avoids any dreaded uniboob action). Adjust the straps depending on the deepness of your garment’s cut, and enjoy the flowiness of the fabric’s sheer material. We can’t see this working with a fitted dress because the fabric won’t hug your body. But you’ll still get plenty of wear out of it because we can see the slip being worn as a sexy lingerie piece, too.
Size: XXS–2X | Length: Mini to mid-thigh | Material: Viscose
What We Love: Works well underneath midi to longer length dresses. Plus, it can be styled in a number of ways.
What We Don’t Love: There are no plus-size options.
Consider this alternative to the viral Skims floor-length slip (which sells out fast), if you will, or your next throw-on-and-go option for those days when you don’t know what to wear. Or, you can simply opt for it as a base layer for your midi to maxi dresses for extra coverage, especially if it’s something sheer. Regardless of how you decide to style it, this piece offers tons of versatility. Just look at the color options, too: there are seven shades to choose from – black, mossy green, and light pink, to name a few — for endless outfits. We especially love the stretchy and body-conscious fit throughout, which contours your body without feeling too snug, so it moves with you and not the other way around. We hope they add plus-size options, soon.
Size: XS/S–M/L | Length: Midi | Material: Nylon, spandex
What We Love: The 100 percent silk fabric is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable.
What We Don’t Love: It’s one of the more expensive options on this list. You also have to hang dry it to maintain its shape and quality.
Silk has a lightweight feel that makes it particularly breathable, so on warmer days when you dread layering but need the coverage, we’d call this a necessity. Take this piece from Intimissimi, for instance: It’s crafted from 100 percent silk (which means it doesn’t sacrifice comfort) and is offered in three timeless shades: black, white, and light pink. The simplicity of the slip with the luxurious fabric makes it a sophisticated option for day and night, whether on its own or with a dress on top. And the adjustable, skinny straps are perfect to hide under wider straps and offer extra support and/or coverage around the cleavage. All of that just sounds like a whole lot of comfort, if you ask us.
Size: S–L | Length: Mini | Material: Silk
Fabrics and silhouette lengths are what matter most when you're trying to hide a slip underneath clothes. First, high-quality fabrics that don't cling or ride up, will keep the garment invisible. Look for raw cut hems and body-shaping fabrics like Spandex and Nylon (see above). A good slip will feel smooth. An even better slip will appear smooth. Second, the lengths of slips are something to look out for when trying to hide the undergarment. Make sure the slip resembles the silhouette of your dress/outerwear. Sometimes, hemlines can be tricky.
Oh, also never wear white under black clothing as it's likely to show through.
100 cotton dress For this piece, contributor Morgan Sullivan researched the best shapewear slips based on their material, size range, color options, among other features. She also spoke to Commando's founder Kerry O'Brien for professional advice.