Surviving the Dregs of Summer in a Slip Dress
The only way I got through that heatwave last week.
July was brutal. I know I complain a lot about summer heat but whew, the last few days of the month really hit me hard. Normally, thanks to the fact that I mostly work from home, I can avoid sweltering commutes on the subway. Unfortunately, last week was not one of those times. Between meetings, dinners, and one crane disaster at Hudson Yards rerouting traffic, I found myself waiting for trains that never came and then rerouting by foot during some of the hottest days of the year. That would technically be fine except I had to also look somewhat presentable while doing so.
I genuinely don’t know how people can creatively layer or even wear thick fabrics in the middle of a heatwave. Take for example, an extremely chic person I had coffee with last Wednesday, when the heat index was hovering around 100 degrees. She was in a leather snakeskin vest worn over baggy trousers and heeled boots, looking completely calm and cool despite the fact that we were seated outside in the sun. Meanwhile I was doing my best to look like a fashion editor while rivulets of sweat ran down my face for a good ten minutes. I’d say I was 50% successful — my outfit and eyeliner held up, my hair definitely did not, puffing up in the humidity.
Ironically, I found the dress I was wearing for that meeting during an equally hot day last summer. Walking around the East Village after a late morning appointment I happened to pass by the 2nd Street Vintage outpost on Broadway. I almost missed a Junya Watanabe slip dress on the rack but on second pass, I tried it on. Made from super thin wool, silk, and lace, it’s lightweight but still thick enough to not warrant a bra (sorry, that’s my theme every summer, I can’t deal with being constricted when the humidity is constricting my lungs). Somehow it was priced at $180, which was an incredible deal since I googled it and it apparently retailed for well over $1,000 back in 2019. Suffice to say I bought it and have worn it many many times over the last 365 days.
A black slip is one of the few things I can bear to wear during heatwave meetings. Besides that Junya Watanabe one, I also keep an especially filmy Katharine Hamnett silk style in rotation. There’s not a ton of thought that goes into having a few of these in your closet — you’re literally throwing them on when you can’t be bothered to wear much more than the thinnest layer possible. Add sandals, perhaps a pair of nipple covers if the fabric is particularly thin, and you can always claim to be channeling nineties-era minimalism.
Coincidentally, this is also the perfect time of year to buy one — so many good options are on sale at the moment and it’s when I’ve purchased all of the ones in my collection. Shopping for anything else in August doesn’t make a ton of sense. Most of the sale items are picked over and the new stuff that’s trickling in feels either too heavy, or isn’t quite worth paying full price for. I can’t get my head around sweaters and pants when it’s still light out at 8 p.m. But cheap slip dresses that can be worn now and well into fall? Absolutely perfect.
I found the one I bought at 2nd Street on The Real Real and unfortunately it’s priced higher than what I paid for it. Is it worth $556? I think so, when you consider it’s more than half off retail. The mixed material detailing keeps it from being too simple. I’ve worn it with everything from flat Chaco slides to platform Simona Rocha sandals in the summer. For fashion month, I’m thinking some sort of boots and blazer to make it more fall-appropriate.
I love deep diving through SSENSE during sale season for these random no name brands. Someone said it was like an hypebeast-y Revolve and they’re not entirely wrong. I’d argue that much like Revolve, you have to be somewhat selective about the really low priced stuff but this slip dress is my definition of a great deal. The adjustable shoulder straps are a huge selling point to me — the top will fit the way it’s supposed to, without alterations, making it ideal if you’re on the petite side like me.
This dress reminds me of those Cecile Bahnsen dresses that were super popular for the last few years as well as some of Sandy Liang’s styles. I find that the heftier fabric on this version makes it a little more forgiving to go bra-less, while still offering up plenty of breeziness. At under $100, it’s another good option when you’re sick of your summer clothes but it’s too hot to wear much else.
Prada duuuupe. Sorry, I know I said I wouldn’t do dupes but this nylon dress reminds me of those little Prada minidresses from the Spring 2019 runway. My friend Dora has one that she’ll wear all summer long and I’m always so tempted to get one for myself. Unfortunately, the Prada ones are pretty expensive and rarely go on sale, so this version has the same feel without coming off like a copyright violation.
For those who prefer a bra, this Max Mara dress has thick enough straps to wear one underneath. Plus, it’s soooooo well-priced. I have a similar navy style from a random British brand but I sorta wish it were black, like this one, because it’d get more wear.
My favorite Katharine Hamnett filmy slip was from Matches but it’s a few years old, so it’s not available. This Raey version is very similar, down to the ultra skinny straps. If you want thin style that can worn under sheer tops or dresses, this is worth spending the full price.
I know I said spending full price on a dress is not worth it at the moment but I do love this Acne Studios style. It’s definitely my idea of a transition piece. I’d want to layer sheer mohair sweaters over it come October, as my spooky season nod. I’d argue that it’d work for winter even, with a thick enough cashmere sweater and cropped jacket or a giant bomber, Khaite-style — you know, because of climate change and all that.
A reminder: the newsletter is going weekly from now until mid-October because I’m going to be traveling a bunch for work. So see you next Wednesday!
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