This summer's power move? The slip dress

Formerly seen as a glorified nightie for Nineties waifs, the slip has been revived on catwalks as a more versatile item for everyone, while still retaining its boldness. Chloe Street assesses the trend

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WHEN some think of power dressing they think big shoulder pads and boardroom-ready suits; but I'd say the Nineties slip dress is the ultimate power-dressing move.

Typically cut on the bias, meaning they cling in all the wrong places, and made from VPL-showing slinky silk, slips have low backs and lacey negligee necklines-neither of which are happy bedfellows of the strapless bra. As someone not in possession of Gigi's washboard abs nor Michelle Obama's perfectly toned upper arms, and with boobs big enough to mean going braless isn't an option, I have long suspected them to be the preserve of waifish, naturally tanned and toned model types. However, this summer's more varied iterations have made me reth my position: perhaps the Nineties nightie is more slip on-able than I thought.

The spring/summer 2023 runways boasted many inspired takes, the strongest being Prada's ombre slit-leg silk midis, the patchwork slips at Sportmax, Victoria Beckham's ruffled silk maxis and the lace-trimmed crinkled satin nighties Riccardo Tisci riffed on for his final Burberry collection.