A Gift So Nice We’re Posting It Twice, one of the many holiday gifting series we’ll be running this month and next, is a look back at the gifts we wrote about last year that our readers actually bought. Here, the Cut’s style director Rebecca Ramsey on the little black slip she gifts to friends. While the exact version Ramsey recommended last year is out of stock, she suggests this very similar alternative: “I can pull my sheer dresses out of the closet and layer this slip underneath, resurrecting some of my favorite garments while being both current and covered up. Moreover, I’m obsessed with the Celine resort collection — it’s not in stores yet, but trust me, there are fab sheer dresses and semi-transparent faded floral frocks — and while Phoebe Philo puts black bras and full briefs under those dresses, my slip will work excellently as I am not one to expose my midriff!”
An accidental turn as an almost-exhibitionist led me to this Calvin Klein slip. I had been wearing a sheer black dress last spring, perhaps leaning a little too NSFW, but in my mind, it was just a more directional choice for a Tuesday. But when a run-in with a revolving door put me in near-nude territory (really, the whole back of the dress was torn in the door), the dress became way too risqué for work. I ran a few blocks east to the Calvin Klein store in Soho and found sanctuary in crêpe de chine.
This simple slip has since multiplied in my closet for many reasons: I like the small bits of lace and the slim cut is flattering. It’s easy to layer under my collection of black dresses (it’s the perfect length for a person on the shorter side) and the soft fabric feels luxurious on my skin. I love pairing it with a chunky robe while reading the Sunday paper, or making like Liz Taylor and wearing it while getting ready for a wedding, glass of Cabernet in hand. It comes with me on all my travels, proving easy to pack and to sleep in. As a bonus, my husband likes it, too, so I have been inspired to give it to friends who are getting married, and they all report similar results.
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