What to wear under a thin summer dress

Short answer: Under a thin dress, two things solve most problems: a slip against see through fabric and clinging, and a pair of under shorts against chafing on the inner thighs. The rest is about colour and length.

See through fabric

A thin dress becomes see through in backlight, even when it does not look that way indoors in front of the mirror. People often notice it only when standing in a sunny doorway or on a platform. A slip adds an extra layer that takes care of the worst. See the bamboo slip.

Clinging

A light dress can stick to the skin, especially when it is warm and humid or if you wear tights. The fabric then pulls to one side and rides up as you walk. A smooth layer in between stops this, because the dress slides over the slip instead of catching on the skin.

Chafing thighs

If you walk a lot in the heat, your thighs rub together and the skin becomes red and sore during the day. A pair of thin under shorts puts a smooth layer in between, so the skin does not rub directly. They add no bulk under a dress. See bamboo under shorts.

Choosing a colour

Nude shows the least under light dresses because it looks like skin. White shows more than many expect, especially under white and thin fabrics where the edge stands out. Black suits dark dresses. Read more about picking the right shade in nude knickers.

The underwear

Under a thin dress, the edges of your underwear matter because they easily show through the fabric. Choose knickers with flat edges and no thick seams, and stick to the same colour as the other layers. That way you avoid lines across the hips. See bamboo underwear for women.

A bra under a thin dress

Under a light dress, a white bra shows more clearly than a nude one. If the dress is thin, the seams of the bra matter too, because they show through the fabric. A wire free bra usually has fewer edges and lies flatter against the body. See the bamboo bra without wire.

The length of the slip

The slip must be shorter than the dress, or the hem will show when you walk or sit down. A few centimetres shorter is enough. If the dress has a slit, the slip should also end above the slit, so it does not show when you take a long step.

The dress itself

The denser the fabric of the dress, the fewer layers you need underneath. A dress in a slightly heavier, soft fabric can often be worn with only underwear, while the thinnest summer dresses almost always need an extra layer. See the range of bamboo dresses.

How many layers you need

Most people manage with one layer on top of their underwear: either a slip or a pair of under shorts. If the dress is very thin and you will walk far, both can help. Try the combination at home in daylight before wearing it for a whole day.

Washing

Thin layers are best washed in a laundry bag at 40 degrees so they do not tangle with other clothes. Avoid fabric softener and the tumble dryer, and let them air dry. That way they keep their shape and colour. More advice is in the washing guide.

Frequently asked questions

What helps with a see through dress?

A slip in a colour close to your skin. It adds an extra layer that takes the see through effect out of backlight, and it also stops the dress from clinging to your skin.

What helps against chafing under a dress?

A pair of thin under shorts. They put a smooth layer between the thighs so the skin does not rub directly, and they add no bulk under a light summer dress.