Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
I love the idea of wearing a wispy white dress in the summer, but the problem is that they're all, on some level, see-through! I think, for the first time in my adult life, I need to buy a slip — not a cool slip dress from Reformation, but an actual slip. Except the only place I can think to buy one is in the intimates department of Macy's. Where can I get a cool one that doesn't make me feel like my grandmother? —Tiffany
There are many, many, many options out there on the market right now, and no, you don’t need to go to Macy’s intimates section to get one. But for something to actually just disappear under your white dresses, I would suggest starting with slips made by underwear brands. While they’re a little pricey, Commando ($50–$98) and Hanro ($68–$170) both make basic, plain slip dresses in neutrals, blacks, and whites that are ideal for this use-case. For something similar but cheaper, try Eberjey, which has several styles (from plain cotton to cute and lacy) starting at $31.
If you’re the type to like fancy lingerie, I recommend looking into some silky, lacy numbers, too; you’ll love wearing them to bed as much as you’ll find them useful under slightly sheer dresses. I have a few from Victoria’s Secret (from $42) that get the job done, but for something really lovely/sexy, check out Fleur du Mal and Agent Provocateur. (Our guide to buying lingerie online has a ton of other suggestions if you want to lean in to that option.)
I also quite frequently wear regular, simple dresses under sheer top layers, which works well, too, with the added bonus of being able to wear it on its own. On the basic end of that spectrum, go for a cotton, camisole-style dress. They’re usually form-fitting without being body-con and keep everything that needs to be covered up hidden. Lacausa has dozens of options, many of which are currently on sale for as little as $34.
For something a little nicer, I love this slip dress by Ozma ($176), which also comes in black, and in a longer version ($185). Cuyana’s silk slip dress (from $260) is crazy-soft and conveniently bra-hiding, thanks to the cut across the back.