Underwear as Outerwear – Bodycon Party Dresses

Underwear or lingerie was a big inspiration on the SS10 catwalks from the cream and boned bodice at Bottega Veneta, corset style tops at Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier to Christopher Kane’s see through tops revealing crisp white bra’s.

At Louise Goldin, Marc Jacobs and Just Cavalli, satin bras provided a feature by being worn over the top of clothes. The underwear as outerwear theme encompasses both the overtly sexy bras, corsets and suspender belts and also a more subtle and subversive satin teddies and slips with a vintage feel. There were also big knickers at Yves St Laurent, Alexander Wang and Sophia Kokosalakia, a micro trend that has been simmering away for a few seasons now.

Whilst the underwear as outerwear trend looks great on the catwalk, it is perhaps difficult to see how this trend could translate into everyday life. It is a very daring look and showing your underwear it a just a little taboo. Is wearing your underwear on the outside and clothes that are barely more than underwear taking things a little too far?

Well, we think this trend can work as long as it is done right and is worn for the right occasions.  For a day in the office, perhaps not, but as a body con party dress, it shows distinct potential. The more subtle camisole style tops could even work for workwear when worn under a suit jacket but we would recommend extreme caution when trying out this look for work. It is all in the translation and the way that it is cleverly combined to be slightly revealing but not showing too much. Just a little glimpse here and there is all that is needed to capture the essence of this trend in a way that can work for just about anyone.

Unless you are incredibly skilled at styling your own outfits or very daring, you would probably be best to stick to an underwear inspired dress perhaps a body con party dress or slip dress as opposed to wearing your own underwear outside of your clothes. There are probably very few who could make this work and it would require the most beautiful of underwear teamed with just the right top and a huge dose of confidence. If done wrong, you could end up looking like you got yourself a bit confused when getting dressed!

If you really want to exploit the underwear as outerwear trend to its full potential and forget all about subtly, try this lace corset party dress from Goddiva.

For a prettier vintage inspired party dress we love this sleeveless lace shift with frills by Goddiva.

This amazing Addi Brassier Exposed Corset Dress by Sportmax is a great designer piece featuring underwear as outerwear in a daring but very stylish way.

This delicate Lace Dress by Karen Millen is a very subtle interpretation of the lingerie inspiration with its slip like appearance glimpses of lace.

It is possible to wear underwear inspired bodycon dresses without wearing full on black lace. This gingham dress by Oasis proves that this trend can also look cute and would look great as a summer party dress with some wedge sandals.

For a formal party dress, we love this Ivory  shift dress by Debut at Debenhams which shows that it is entirely possible to look very respectable and sophisticated whilst wearing underwear inspired dresses.

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