This Is the One Item I Guarantee Every French Woman Has in Her Closet RN

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Whether it's "oui" or "non," I trust French women to tell it how it is when it comes to anything fashion. In the case of the slip dress, the answer is a loud and united "oui." I wanted to do a little experiment and find out which dress style all of the French women on my Instagram feed were depending on. Among baby-doll silhouettes and puff sleeves, I noticed that slip dresses were the one item that all of my favorite fashion people across the pond were leaning on.

I can't think of a more dependable item in my wardrobe than the classic slip dress. It literally has gone everywhere with me, from late nights to exciting trips with friends and even to bed! It's funny to think that the item that has become such a routine "out-and-about" piece for us was originally designed as nothing but a sleeping gown. Well, we can thank the '90s for changing that.

Spotted on cultural icons, from the experimental Kate Moss to the traditional Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, this dress was truly made for any woman. I'm sure you already have a slip dress or two in your closet, so this article will surely come in handy. Have a little scroll and you'll discover eight new ways to wear yours and a few new ones worth buying.

Straight Up

Brown slip dress worn by a woman in a garden.

(Image credit: @andi_mun)

Wearing nothing but a slip dress never fails. This simple look will take you from casual date nights to extravagant weddings.

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Silk on Silk

Pink and red slip dress worn in Brooklyn.

(Image credit: @champagnemani)

While most people opt for a cotton poplin button-down over their slip dress, why don't you try pairing yours with a silk one? The fabrics look so fabulous together.

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Summer Whites

Woman wearing white slip dress in Paris.

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Nothing wins me over faster than an all-white outfit. It's so chic and sophisticated and makes me miss summer! You have to try this out.

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Leather Weather

Woman in a slip dress and black leather jacket.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Polka dots are such a French-girl move, so if you're planning on wearing a slip dress, you might as well add the playful pattern to the mix. I love how good it looks with a leather jacket for a summer night.

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Cutouts Galore

Woman in cutout white slip dress and thong sandals.

(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

If you already have a plethora of slip dresses in your closet, I bet you don't have this one. Adding cutouts is such a fun idea to give the classic silhouette a modern twist.

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Colorful Cutie

Woman sitting in a chair wearing a slip dress.

(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Introducing some brights into your closet is never a bad idea. Playing around with different combinations has become my hobby, and I highly suggest you do it too. Orange and pink are so good together.

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Summer in the South of France

Woman wearing a slip dress and a bucket hat at a market.

(Image credit: @chloelecareux)

I've never seen an outfit that screams South of France more than this one, and I'm obsessed. Let's just book our flights now, okay? But I am actually ordering this look for every single vacation.

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Business Casual

Woman wearing a slip dress, blazer, and boots near the Seine.

(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Get ready for the workweek in style. I love any opportunity to add a blazer to my look, and a slip dress is no exception. This is an easy way to guarantee an A+ on your look.

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This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Sierra Mayhew
Fashion Editor

Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of experience in the fashion industry to the editorial team. Since joining Who What Wear in 2021, Sierra has made her mark by expertly blending luxury and accessible fashion content. Whether she's decoding the latest runway presentations or crafting a perfectly curated shopping list, Sierra's keen eye and relatable approach have solidified her as a trusted voice in the fashion space. She's also reported on major industry events like Paris Fashion Week and lent her expertise to red carpet coverage, ensuring her audience gets an insider's view of the most glamorous moments in style. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. Her ability to translate editorial expertise into viral social media content sets her apart, seamlessly bringing her articles and personality to life for a new generation of readers and followers. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra brings a unique perspective to the fashion industry that is informed by her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.