A bias cut silk slip does not hold a shape, it follows one. Cut diagonally across the weave so woven silk gains a drape it otherwise has no right to, it skims instead of gripping and needs almost nothing built into it. Old Hollywood with the volume turned down. Silk charmeuse, silk satin, silk muslin and georgette, cut and sewn by hand in a Spanish couture workshop, with gemstone embroidery on one, a halter on another, and a cutout slip that reads more city hall than cathedral. These are the dresses that photograph best as the light goes.
Nearly all of it is made to order, which is the right way to buy a bias cut dress: it is cut to you rather than taken in. Try the silks at the Santa Monica showroom, over a live virtual shopping session, or ask about trying a gown at home. See also white maxi dresses and Théoro.
Silk slip wedding dresses, answered
What does bias cut mean?
The pattern is cut at forty five degrees to the weave rather than along it, which gives woven silk a natural give and drape. The dress then follows the body without boning, darts or a zip doing the shaping. It is the hardest cut to sew well, which is why a good bias slip costs what it does and a poor one twists at the hip.
Is a silk slip dress forgiving?
It is honest rather than forgiving, and that is worth knowing before you fall for one. It skims closely, so underwear matters more here than in any other silhouette: a smooth molded cup and a seamless brief, or nothing at all under a lined dress. Silk satin shows more than charmeuse or georgette.
Will silk crease on the day?
A little, and most brides decide they do not mind, because the alternative is a stiffer fabric that will not move. Silk charmeuse recovers better than you expect once you are standing. Hang the dress the night before rather than leaving it in a bag, travel with it on a hanger, and ask your venue for a steamer rather than an iron.
How long does a made-to-order silk gown take?
An estimated 3 to 6 months, because it is cut to your measurements rather than pulled off a rail, so start at least six months before your wedding and leave another six to eight weeks for alterations. If your date is sooner than that, say so and we will show you what can genuinely arrive in time.
Can I try on silk slip wedding dresses in Los Angeles?
Yes for several of them, at 145 Bay St in Santa Monica, by appointment. Bias cut silk is the hardest thing to judge from a photograph, because the whole effect is weight and movement, so this is a category genuinely worth coming in for. Tell us which gowns you have saved when you book. Book a private fitting, or read silk slip wedding dresses for the minimalist bride.