The Vine: July 27, 2011
Better late than never, ja? Sorry for the delay; I had cars to rent, and delicious spinach pie to eat. And now, a mid-week Ask The Readers:
Hi Sars! I have been having a fruitless clothing search, and am hoping your readers can help.
I have accumulated a collection of cute (and cheap, thankfully) v-neck dresses, mostly in the appropriate-for-work level of fanciness. However, several of them are only work-appropriate if I wear something under them to make the V less va-va-voom. I started out trying various tank tops and skirt-slips, which do the job but also show at the waist line where the tank ends and the slip starts. The best thing I’ve found is a full-body slip, which I was actually given as a gift.
Mine is actually light blue, and it is the perfect thing for these dresses without looking like lingerie where it does show at the neck. However — tragically — it is wearing out now, and I am having trouble replacing it. What I’d really like is to get a black version and a colored one, but this one is really out of my price range, even for one. Basically, I’m looking for something that will work under V-neck dresses, with either a scoop neckline or a straight-across one. I’ve looked at all of the department stores at the local mall, online at Victoria’s Secret, and at Target and Old Navy. The problem I’m having is that most full-body slips look like slips — that is, they have lacy trim or are shiny, and I just want this to look like it could conceivably be part of the dress, and not scream UNDERWEAR.
White and nude-colored things definitely look like slips, as do things with ribbons or ruching. I’m not looking for shapewear, either. If there’s nothing else out there, I can save up for the one I had before, but I just can’t believe that somewhere out there is not a simple cotton nightshirt or something that will work that is more of the $15-25 range.
Thanks!
Trying to Stay Classy
Tags: Ask The Readers retail
I know Spanx makes one, and if you don’t care about control, just get the next size or two up.
Have you tried Kohl’s? I find them to be a weird goldmine for slips, although I can’t speak to colored options, I have a black one I got from there that would be more than passable peeking out of a neckline. This also seems like it might fit the bill?
So it’s not exactly what you’re requesting, but for my too-low tops, I use the foolishly named but useful Boob Tube: http://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Boob_Tube/ and it works great. It’s just a bra-sized band of fabric that covers up the cleavage but doesn’t get in the way of the rest of my clothes.
Vermont Country Store (vermontcountrystore.com) is THE PLACE for non-fancy, affordable slips. Also you’ll get their hilariously awesome catalogue tha sells, like, the lotion your grandma used in 1984 and great old candy (like, old-school. Not just old) and the unsexiest nightgowns you ever did see.
Classy,
I don’t know if this one is too shiny, but you can’t beat the price and I thought the whole V-neck/scoop neck reversible thing was pretty cool.
This is a slightly different product than you’re looking for, but may serve the same purpose: instead of looking at full-body slips, check out Second Base or Cleava products. Both of them are designed just to cover inappropriate cleavage without creating any lines anywhere else, and they come in tons of different colors. The Second Base ones are a little outside your price range, but look a little less likely to result in odd lines. (I should note: I’ve been meaning to try both for a while, but haven’t quite gotten around to ordering anything yet.)
I wear those dresses frequently, but have no line on a full slip – looking forward to good answers. Anyhoo, my solution is tanks, but I get them from the juniors department, since juniors apparently love tanks & even camis that end at the thigh. I can wear the long tanks without having a line on my waistline that way.
I just tuck a pretty silk scarf in, securing it under my bra straps if needed. On hot days I even (back in the days when I had to wear a suit to work!) used a scarf under my jacket instead of a shirt (just tucked in at my waist and bra straps). I couldn’t take the jacket off!, but I stayed nice and comfortable and could change up the outfit easily because scarves can be so inexpensive.
Would a chemise work or would that end up being too long or too bulky? I was thinking something like this from the Gap.
The Gap has a few options: http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=64648&vid=1&pid=850667&scid=850667002
Old Navy sometimes does, but not right now, it seems. I’d keep my eye on those stores for a sale or for the right piece to come up.
I have been told H&M has some, but I haven’t personally investigated yet. I have the same issue.
I wear lots of these types of dresses also, and you’re right in that the under-dress is perfect to wear but hard to find. I don’t look for slips, but instead what I think of as a ‘tank dress’… a tank-top or racerback style dress which is slim-fitting. I am in Australia and have the best luck at Metalicus, which is a brand designed for ‘layering’ with lots of stretchy pieces, or just normal Old Navy style shops (we have Cotton On, inferior but similar) for cotton options. Regardless, out of the lingerie section and into the dress section!
Metalicus: http://www.metalicus.com/womens/product/11142/tank-dress
Superdry: http://www.polyvore.com/superdry_stripe_dress_very/thing?id=15275715
If you have a good outlet center near you, check out the Vanity Fair outlet. They’re kind of hit or miss, but they have been known to have a wide selection of slips.
Another option might be a “cami bra” — although most options seem to be lacy. Basically a bra with a strip of lacy fabric across the front. Vermont Country Store’s website had some.
Hi,
I really, really don’t mean to hijack this post – but I would love to hear where you got this collection of great v-neck dresses for work. I have been on a fruitless search for simple, wrap dresses for work forever, and I’m bewildered by how hard it is to find them.
I’m with you! Surely more women want to dress like us!
As for slips, I’ve got a few Berlei and Espirit brands that are excellent. So simple and unadorned I could wear them by themselves as dresses.
Thanks!
Marion
If you’re ok with used clothing, Etsy has tons of vintage slips in fun colors. Most are lacy, but you should be able to find some that aren’t.
Winter Silks may have some good options ((slips/tanks/camis/cami-bras) as well. They can be pricey, but have great sales.
http://www.wintersilks.com/default.aspx
Others have suggested lots of places to look for slips, so I’ll just chime in with an alternative to that if you are interested. I have lots of v-neck shirts and dresses too, and because I am so short they are often too deep for me. Rather than wear an extra layer on top, I sew a bit of lace or fabric to the inside of the dress, across the bottom of the v. Or, if it is a wrap-style top/dress, I’ll sew a hook and eye or snap a couple of inches up from the point of the v, or even just use a tiny safety pin. The advantage of this approach is I can undo it if I want to.
@Kristen – OMG, I looked at the Vermont Country Store website, and they really *do* have some of the unsexiest nightgowns I ever did see! (Although they also have some incredibly adorable ones. Now I want like 8 nightgowns. *sigh*)
I second the Vermont Country Store for slips. I never go without a one since that second grade playground incident in 1968. It still haunts me . . .
Or if you’re handy with a sewing machine slips are actually pretty easy and cheap to make.
I would like both slip and dress answers–when you’re a XL version of hourglass those dresses are super comfortable and look great, but you do need a little modesty veil in front.
Also, since we’re in Unmentionables territory already, does anyone have a line on comfortable, lightweight undershorts for dress wearing days that aren’t bike shorts or Spanx? Right now I use knee length yoga pants but they’re a littl heavy for dresses, and Spanx are just to uncomfortable outside special occasions like weddings.
@Jen S 1.0: I wear men’s boxer briefs, but I can’t say I would recommend that solution for the office environment.
Thanks for all of the great suggestions, y’all! (I am the original poster.) It looks like there are some great options out there and I am really looking forward to pursuing them. In general I’m most excited about the long tank tops and unadorned slips links since I actually do prefer a slip for the skirt part, but it is also good to know about the alternatives for just covering up cleavage for dresses that don’t need a slip for the lower half. Also, I can sew simple things, so maybe I’ll try my hand at sewing one as well (although my little 1940’s Singer generally does not like knits.)
And in answer to Marion, I’ve accumulated my dresses over time. I periodically find something cute at Old Navy or Target, and then am a sale stalker for Ann Taylor Loft. I LOVE dresses from Boden (such great colors!) but they have to be on super sale to be in my price range.
Thank you again, and thanks to Sars for posting my question. Cheers to being slightly classier!
Jen S. I wear men’s microfiber boxer briefs under my dresses. I think mine are Jockey brand. Super comfy and so lightweight I tend to forget I’m wearing them. And they don’t give me a line at the waist. I don’t think there’s any reason you couldn’t wear them to the office — no one’s seeing under your dress and they don’t show.
@Jen S 1.0: Not sure how much short you’re looking for, but I like Barely There Flawless Fit microfiber boy shorts — only boy shorts that I have found that do not show lines at waistband or thigh. (And no VPL in pants, which is why they became my favorite, but I realize is a little beside the point since you’re looking for something to go under a dress.) They’re definitely “short” though, so depends on the function you want out of the under-dress shorts.
Jen S. 1.0, tap pants! I know Vermont Country Store used to sell them but they’re another easy to make project if you have basic sewing skills.
Marion, I have the most success finding dresses at Overstock.com & JC Penney. (There’s a brand – Studio I – I’ve had great luck with.
I’ve no clothing suggestions but have been cracking up over managing to read “I had cars to rent” as “I had cats to rent”. Initial doubletake reaction: “you can do that?? How does that work?? Why would you rent a cat??” combined with mental images of cats by the hour.
Note to self; finish coffee, then read.
Just wanted to say “thanks” to whomever mentioned Boden dresses…now I want to spend $800 on their website as I saw about a million things I love. Sigh.
There’s also this camisole from gaiam: http://www.gaiam.com/product/organic+cotton+camisole.do
It looks pretty long; maybe it’s long enough?
I’m busty and have lots of v-neck or wrap dresses which require some kind of cami, slip, etc. so that I’m not showing off the goods. I am a *huge* fan of these cotton camis I bought at Sam’s Club. I can’t find them on the Sam’s website, but here’s an ebay auction that shows the camis. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390231247449&hlp=false
They’re long, cotton, and are skin tight. I have never had an issue with them showing under the dress (which you’ve had issues with in the past) given that they’re so body hugging. I have bought these things in every color imaginable, from nude to hot pink. They’re fantastic!
Another “no slips but another thing” response–my favorite workaround for this problem are the featherweight/tissue tanks that turn up in various places. They’re too lightweight to make lines under most dresses. I got my last run of these at J. Jill online (which also has various other options), but I’ve seen them elsewhere. I also would second the Wintersilks suggestion both for slips and possible tanks, as silk has a weight and sheen that makes it less line-y, in my experience.
Awesome suggestions for “want to wear a dress but not turn my thighs to hamburger” ideas! I will definitely check out men’s microfibers and see if my EXtremely womany hips can fit into any of them–here’s hoping.
If you find a style you like that comes in white, I’d sugest buying several and dying them if they don’t come in the colors you want. Dying is not all that tricky. Good luck!
I’ve found full slips hard to find too, sometimes, and what I recently discovered are spaghetti strap tank dresses from H&M. That store can drive one crazy, but last time I was there I found a cotton spaghetti strap, ~ knee length dress that had an empire seam, and works perfectly under a long black dress I have (that is unlined) and a knee-length wrap dress that is a bit too low in front. Comfy, doesn’t leave lines, and can double as a beach dress, etc.
For the chub-rub… my favorites are pettipants — basically culotte-slips. They are hard to find, but Amazon turns up some options, JC Penney online has something similar, and I think the Vermont Country Store stocks them too. I have some in nylon, and some in soft light t-shirt like cotton. The cotton are my faves, but they’re a little bulkier, so it depends on the skirt/dress if they’ll work.