The No-Knickers Dress Is Now a Thing Thanks to This French Brand
While you don't necessarily have to wear underwear underneath your clothing, it's generally accepted as the done thing. With plenty of excellent no-VPL knickers out there, as well as barely-there thongs, the need to go commando has almost been rendered obsolete. Unless you fancy it, that is. However, thanks to the new cult dress that's sweeping the fashion scene, you might have to reconsider your allegiance to your lingerie.
Over the last few months, I've noticed more and more influencers wearing dresses and skirts with cutout sides, nearly all of which come from one particular brand; Marcia.
Launched in 2019, the French sustainable fashion brand began to catch the eye of those in the know with its daring designs last year, and its popularity is showing no signs of slowing this spring. While it also boasts an array of trousers and tops, and other dresses for that matter, the pieces that are helping Marcia make its mark on the industry are the Tchikiboum dress and skirt, both of which boast exposed sides.
Speaking of the design, its creator Emma Reynaud reveals, "I wanted to create a silhouette and design that wasn't the answer to the masculine diktat."
Now, you could absolutely style them over trousers or, as Reynaud suggests, "a pair of biker shorts and sneakers," but many are favouring to wear them on their own, sans knickers, thus igniting the no-knickers fashion trend. The big question is, are you prepared to go knickerless to wear one? Personally, I'm for it.
Ingrained in my memory is the episode of Friends where Rachel takes so long to get ready, but then she emerges in an incredible sage green dress and reveals that, yes, she's going commando. It's confident and empowering and, thanks to the high necklines and midi hemlines on Marcia's Tchikiboum dress, it still feels classy. Plus, after almost a year of wearing joggers and jumpers, I'm certainly in need of some excitement in the wardrobe department. My only concern would be regarding the miniskirt. Could you actually wear it without the worry of having, well, revealing more than you'd like? Perhaps I'll build up to it. Failing that you can, of course, wear them with underwear underneath, akin to the exposed bra strap vibe.
Keep scrolling to see how influencers are wearing the no-knickers fashion trend. Then shop Marcia's best-selling creations, plus other cutout and slit dresses and skirts.
SHOP MARCIA
SHOP CUTOUT PIECES
Next Up: 10 Dress Trends That Will Rule This Spring
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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