One Slip, Endless Fits…A Winter Sun Edit

One lazy Sunday recently, I found myself with no plans and the day left deliciously empty. Which, of course, made it the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of vintage shopping on Portobello Road. After a slow amble along the canal and fighting every urge to stop and browse at Rellik, I found my way to Lover’s Lane. A new recommendation from influencer, vintage lover and all round fashion queen, Camille Charriere.

And what a recommendation it was… To say Lover’s Lane is just your average vintage boutique, would be doing it a huge disservice. It is so much more than that. It’s a library. It’s a museum. It’s a window into fashion’s most iconic years. Home to original runway pieces from Dior, Galliano, McQueen, Westwood, fashion myths (MB’s Mary Janes IYKYK) and pieces from times gone by. And I’m not just talking the raging 80s and raving 90s, I’m talking 50s, 60s and 70s. With similar price tags to One of Kind Archive, another exclusive boutique on Portobello recently added to our North & West Vintage Guide, it is also not one of the faint hearted or shallow pocketed. Prices start, generally speaking, around the £400 mark up to the thousands if you’re looking at runway pieces.

While the clothes provide a huge part of the experience, another joy of visiting the store is the interaction with women who work there, one in particular so knowledgable and able to recall the price of every item in the shop. With a husky voice drenched in an American drawl and an unbreakable air of confidence, when she speaks you listen. You listen to the story behind every item, the decade it belongs to and the history you are investing in. It is without a doubt my favourite part of vintage shopping. Understanding that our time with a piece of clothing is part of something much bigger, merely a transient stint within an unfinished story.

While many pieces were far out of my price range, I did set eyes on a beautiful, delicately sexy, sheer slip dress which if I’m being honest is more lingerie than anything else. After a chat with my favourite sultry American, I realised the nightie was from a 1950s equivalent of La Perla. Cut on the cross, it fit perfectly on my curves and made me feel sexy as hell. With a price tag of over £300, I took several laps of the shop, fighting with myself as to whether I could justify the expense. As always my heart, a voice stronger than my head, came out on top and the sheer slip came home with me. Determined to settle my reservations on the price, I decided to brainstorm all the ways I could style this ‘dress’. Reasoning with myself that the more options I had to wear it, the more I could justify the price tag. So here we go, as the title would suggest, styled in as many ways as I can think of…one slip many fits:

*As the images and subsequent sunshine would suggest, I have recently been away in South Africa so we call this the Winter Sun Edit. I will be preparing a A/W Edit soon, keep your eyes peeled!

LOOK 1: ALL TIED UP

To counter act the sexiness of the sheer slip, I’ve paired it with an oversized 100% linen shirt from The White Company, which provides a little modesty to the top half. Tied at the waist, the shirt creates a flattering silhouette and emphasises the waist. A clean, elegant look that is perfect for day or night and keeps things as classy. Well as classy as possible when the subtle outline of one’s thong will be on show in certain lights. But hey, that’s half the fun of it.

Seen here paired with Prada sunnies, Cult Gaia sandals and a sprinkling of Goossens jewellery, a personal favourite brand of mine that specialises in bold, statement, costume jewellery.

LOOK 2: LAY ME BARE

The lingerie dress in all its glory. Her detailing is intricate, delicate and pretty, and then the rest of her is pure spicy. Just sheer enough to catch a glimpse of lacy underwear or the outline of a lithe limb. And with an almost open back, this dress would be the ultimate show stopper for a holiday date night…somewhere sheltered by palm trees swaying in the Caribbean breeze, flickering lanterns, the sound of the waves and rum cocktails.

LOOK 3: LAYER HER UP

A vintage look all round with this one. While the slip takes a back seat, it acts as the perfect tonic to the beautiful vintage Gianfranco Ferré linen dress. A dress purchased during a trip to Rome, I stumbled across this vintage store while wandering the cobbled streets with a belly full of cacio e pepe and aperols. This dress was one hell of a find, if I might say so myself. Still in need of some tailoring, the fit needs a little adjusting but as a look, I love the combination of black and white which will always scream sophistication thanks to our friend Coco Chanel. One for balmy summer evenings, city breaks and rooftop bars…

LOOK 4: LATEST SQUEEZE

Lingerie has entered the chat in a big way…it seems sexy, sultry and dare to bare is back on the menu and I’m here for it. Maybe we can thank nepo babies love for Nensi Dojaka for that one.

Paired here with a simple corset over the top that provides support and a welcome cinch of the waist.

LOOK 5: BUSINESS OR PLEASURE ?

To showcase the versatility of this slip, I’ve paired it with an oversized Frankie the Shop blazer in Latte that grazes the upper thigh and therefore conceals any hint of underwear that could be visible through the sheer material. This could also be a great look paired with New Balance or Veja trainers, sunnies and a baseball cap. I’m thinking a weekend day date, shopping on a sunny day or a meeting if you work in anything remotely UN corporate…

LOOK 6: SHE’S LIKE THE WIND

A pretty, flow-y option that would work a wedding abroad (I have it earmarked for one in Spain later this year), a breezy week on a yacht exploring the Greek Islands or simply an evening walk along the beach for sundowners.

While both dresses are sheer, when put them together the sheer goes from being obvious to very subtle. With this look, a gentle breeze is your friend as it creates shape and movement. Left static it could look shapeless from certain angles so it’s definitely one for an outdoor evening to give it some movement.

The dress is Free People approximately 10 years ago. It has been sitting in my wardrobe technically new and unused for longer than I care to admit but paired with this slip, finally I feel as if she’s ready to make her debut.