Yes, this picture of Jessica Biel is from awhile back.  And, yes, I’m sure the fact that her undergarments were showing was some sort of brilliantly calculated designer choice.  She looks lovely, why wouldn’t she want to show off her granny panties?  Actually – it looks more like she is wearing some sort of control-top, Spanx-like underwear.  You know, the kind that sucks in your tummy too.  Stars!  They’re just like us!

Here’s the thing:  Sometimes we try on dresses in fitting rooms or even at home and we don’t realize the transparency of the dress until we are out in less forgiving lighting.  Maybe that is what happened to Jessica.  But even if she knew her dress was sheer that doesn’t mean that we all want to wear sheer dresses.  In fact, I would argue that most of the dresses we wear these days could use a little help….hence the title of this post, Ode to the Slip.

I love wearing dresses and skirts.  And these days I can really stock up on them because most of the dresses I get are from trendy, affordable stores – like Forever 21 or H&M or Old Navy.  Which is great BUT there is a reason these garments are so wallet-friendly:  Usually, they are cheaply made.  I don’t buy a dress from one of these places and think it’s going to last forever.  In fact, I usually buy dresses from there so I can embrace a current trend without investing too much money in a look that might be fleeting in the fickle world of fashion.  But herein lies the problem:  they are cheaply made and most likely don’t have the right lining.

Not to sound like a crotchety old lady….but I don’t want you to see my crotch.  And I most certainly don’t want to see yours.  And chances are, you don’t want me to either.  Which is why I consider this to be a public service announcement:

INVEST IN A SLIP

Invest in a couple.  Buy a few half-slips in a few different colors – nude, black, white.  They are affordable at places like Target and if you want to get fancy you can pick one up at a lingerie store.  It is kind of amazing what this thin piece of fabric can do to camouflage what’s under your thin piece of fabric dress.  With so many of us embracing dress-wearing by buying them from affordable places, it makes sense to kick it old school and wear a slip.   It is just a little tool that goes a long way.