Fall 2015’s Sexiest Trend

How Orthodox Jewish Style Became an Unlikely Inspiration for Fall 2015’s Sexiest Trend

The slip dress was put on this earth for the sole purpose of being sexy. The figure-clinging piece has a barely there late-night feel intrinsic to its translation from a flesh-revealing boudoir piece to risqué eveningwear—and it’s the last item you’d expect to be worn on the streets of the Hasidic community of Crown Heights, New York. But it’s there—and it’s anything but revealing. The slinky staple is most commonly used as a layering piece, whether on top of long sleeves or leggings, in order to abide by tznius, the modesty rules set forth by Orthodox Judaism, which decree that a woman’s shoulders, elbows, and knees must be covered.

But it’s not just in an Ultra Orthodox enclave of Brooklyn where the slip dress is undergoing a quiet, radically modest transformation: On its Fall 2015 runway, Rag & Bone gave the slip dress the knee-skimming Torah treatment by layering it on top of long-sleeve shirts and slim-fitting cigarette pants, complete with a polished leather topper. That look isn’t so far off from how Chaya Chanin and Simi Polonsky, the Australian Orthodox Jewish designers behind The Frock, would wear the typically bedroom-designated piece. The pair have even gone so far as to create their own long-sleeved and collarbone-covering version of the sexed-up slip dress, The Signature Slip, which they layer over tailored trousers or jeans. Their tips for the strappy slip above the waist? "Don’t be afraid to layer!" says Polonsky. "Wear a crisp white shirt or a striped or sheer turtleneck underneath." As for a touch of tomboy sass? "You can totally rock it with high-top kicks and a hoodie," they say. "And if you are really into ‘man repelling,’ add a cute sports bra on top."

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When it comes to bringing the slip dress warmly into the evening, Adi Heyman of the similarly Orthodox-minded and modesty-focused fashion site Fabologie recommends adding bold fur. "The timely revival of the fur stole and slip dress is quite serendipitous—take full advantage," says Heyman. "I myself have been eyeing a vintage 1920s flapper cape that would be perfect over the covered-up slip dress." Another tip? Bodysuits are your friend. "Bulky layering beneath the slip dress will result in unwanted wrinkles and creases in the silky piece. Tuxebodywear makes bodysuits for fitted, slim layers." As for Polonsky and Chanin, they recommend an elegant menswear favorite: "Another black-tie combination is to pair the slip with a long tuxedo blazer to give it a borrowed-from-the-boys look."

Most important, when it comes to styling the slip dress, pay attention to proportions. For Mimu Maxi designers Mushky Notik and Mimi Hecht, the slip dress is made to have a ying-yang layering effect. "It needs to be dressed up with pairings that have more weight. So a thin cardigan or silky blazer is a no, whereas an extra-chunky knit cardigan is a total yes," says Hecht. "We like to say, ‘Don’t work with the slip, work against it!’ Exaggerating the thin, slinky nature of the slip with heavier pieces only makes it more of a statement, and shows that you wore it with purpose, not as a last resort."

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