Slip One Over

The Look: The short slip dress is making a comeback--this time over a sleeveless T-shirt. With spaghetti straps and above-the-knee hemline, it’s a sure bet for the spring-summer wardrobes of cute young things with near-perfect bodies.

How to Do It Big: Who would have guessed that Ralph Lauren would design little slip dresses for his spring collection? He showed them in solids and tiny floral prints with Ts of varying sleeve lengths and thigh-high stockings.

One of his simplest versions of the look is a black jersey knit dress over a white, skinny-ribbed “muscle-man” model T. The dress may be skimpy, but the price isn’t--$335. The shirt is $20. Both are available in Beverly Hills at the Polo/Ralph Lauren boutique.

Total: $355

How to Do It Budget: The clever designers who make moderately priced clothing have pounced on the slip dress.

Francine Browner does one in black rayon knit for her Hearts line. The best thing about her Ralph Lauren look-alike is that it comes with a white cap-sleeved T-shirt. The set costs $59 at Windsor Fashions in the Westside Pavilion, Los Angeles. To duplicate the Lauren look, simply sub in a Hanes sleeveless T-shirt; a pack of three costs $7 at K mart stores citywide.

Total: $61.33