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A perennially popular wardrobe staple: the slinky satin dress is a party season savior and right now all brands are on board. You can find many iterations of satin dresses at all price points, from high street to high end and it’s also a style that Victoria Beckham loves.
The fashion designer Spice Girl has created a very successful version in soft draped satin with ruching across the belly, gently split cap sleeves that drape over the shoulders and an elegant flared hemline. It is set to be the It style of the Christmas season 2024 and beyond. Queen Letizia of Spain, Kendall Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Gugu Mbutha-Raw have all been seen in the frock, which is fast becoming a modern classic.
“The satin dress has continued appeal,” says Karen Peacock, co-founder and chief creative officer of Albaray. “The bias cuts the body and creates a feminine silhouette that embraces the female form, making for a touchable and luxurious garment to wear.”
So as well as the way the dress Looksthere is an added attraction to the fabric and the way it makes women feelwhich is all central to its allure. The satin feels smooth flowing cool and comfortable against the skin and the styling and material is extravagant enough to add glamor to every outfit. Combined with the very feminine nature of the cut, satin dresses are an instant hit if you’re looking for a one-and-done party dress.
However, the sheer nature of the material can overshadow the beauty of that slinky satin. Satin’s light reflective properties and smooth weave mean that every lump and bump under your outfit can be on display.
Compared to a wafty smock or tulip shape dress that stands away from the body, a fitted silhouette of a satin sheath leaves nowhere to hide. Likewise, satin can sometimes cling across your body in an incongruous way. The ruching on Beckham’s dress somehow helps to create an optical illusion and focus attention on the details and not on what’s underneath. Similarly, a print, as opposed to a simple dress, will draw the viewer’s eyes to the pattern and not rest on one area of your body. These dresses, or indeed any garment, should make one feel great – however, you may feel more confident with extra planning ahead.
If you feel like you need a little support or smoothing, prepare your party outfit from the inside out and choose appropriate underwear that allows you to be your most confident self. “When wearing materials such as silk or satin, I would recommend choosing fine, slim-fitting underwear with minimal seaming and elastic,” explains Soozie Jenkinson, head of lingerie design at Marks & Spencer. A lumpy seam will be just as noticeable as any perceived body hangs. Jenkinson’s M&S’s Magicwear™ shaped shorts are Jenkinson’s choice and feature a host of features, including belt control technology, extra stretch and Cool Comfort™ technology for all-day wear and easy movement. “The lightweight, supportive fabric creates a smooth finish as you lift and shape your silhouette, creating an hourglass shape … with no VPL,” she says.
Ghost is a classic take on off-the-shoulder dresses and their Palm and Winnie styles are seasonal bestsellers. Sameera Azeem is the creative director of the brand and suggests that choosing a bias-cut fabric (where the fabric is cut at a diagonal angle against the weave) gives the most flattering results. “At Ghost, we believe it’s a misconception that bias cut styles are revealing and clingy,” she says. “Properly cut styles, in quality fabric, are extremely flattering as they should just skim your body without being too fitted and clingy.” It’s worth double-checking the fit when you try on any possible satin pieces to make sure you’re wearing the right size. As always, spending a little more for a plusher fabric will pay dividends. “Satin can be ungainly as a fabric base so it’s essential for us to put more fabric into the garment, so that the garment has movement when worn,” says Azeem.
Ruby satin slip dress, £95, Ghost
The right material composition is also always a consideration. Azeem suggests “choose a silk or viscose bottom. Polyester-based fabrics are man-made fibers and tend to cling instead of drape. They are very static and not flattering.” In addition to dangerous aesthetics, if sustainability is high on your list of concerns, be aware that polyester fibers are derived from oil while silk or viscose (made from wood pulp) are more natural fibers.
Another extra precaution that must be taken against clinging? “The Rosie ContourWear All In One is a customer favorite,” says Jenkinson. “The luxurious, high-shine fabric is developed so that the clothes simply slide on… and is finished with a slim-to-the-touch antistatic technology that stops the fabric from clinging.”
Outside of the party season, how can you buy a special dress with longevity? While Beckham styled the parrot-green version of her dress with long black latex gloves and black patent boots on the catwalk, a silk shift dress could be the trickiest item in your autumn and winter wardrobe. You just need to know a few styling tricks. Think beyond the obvious festival accompaniments of strappy sandals and a clutch to get more wear out of your purchase.
Peacock is a fan of the outfit options you can create from a satin dress. “When it’s styled like this dress, it can provide a lot of versatility. Dress it up for everyday appeal by adding a longline sweater. The play of proportion and the fabric mix provide a high-end look.” Choose a chunky knit in a similar shade to your dress to create a cohesive outfit. Peacock also recommends adding a tuxedo jacket. “It has a masculine vibe and the two pieces complement each other to create a modern going out look.” After summer, bring your suit back and combine sandals and a basket for year-round wear.
The slinky dresses to try on – and the perfect underwear to go with them all
Chocolate Satin Scoop Neck Dress, £99, Albaray; Rosie ContourWear Firm Control All In One, £40, Marks & Spencer
Midaxi Iridescent Shift Dress, £69, Marks & Spencer; Fitted stretch knit shorts, £36, Self-identifiers
Victoria Beckham Piped panel gathered satin midi dress, £890, Net-a-Porter; Spanx Dress For Fake Horses, £132, Net-a-Porter
Rixo Zadie satin-jacquard midi dress, £255, Net-a-Porter; Commando Luxe Control tech-trimmed stretch mesh thong, £92, Net-a-Porter
Max Mara crinkled-satin midi dress with panel, £320, Net-a-Porter; Cool Comfort™ Flexifit™ Full Slip 14”-35”, £20, Marks & Spencer
Iris Lace Detail Wrap Dress, £229, Whistles; Skims Sculpt red stretch-woven body, £72, Self-identifiers
Open Back Satin Maxi Dress, £145, & Other Stories; Square Neck Smocked Slip Dress, Chocolate, £32, John Lewis
