Full Slips

Considering how many women want them, it is amazing how few really good, practical full slips there are in the lingerie shops. Once a staple of most women’s wardrobes, they are now labeled more of a specialty item. However, you can still find great vintage slips without much effort and a modern slip, if well cared for, will last for years.

Besides being comfortable and practical, a full slip is glamorous and sexy.

Full slips generally come in two shapes. Either they are cut for a straight skirt or an A-line skirt. The tops of the slips don’t tend to vary – they have slim straps and skim the body, much the same way as a silk camisole. Traditionally, they were made of silk or rayon in various weights. They descended from shifts as an item worn to give extra warmth and improve the hang and flow of a dress. As more transparent fabrics became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, they were also crucial to protect a woman’s modesty while still showing the dress to its best advantage. In winter, a silk slip was a luxurious item to wear against the skin while also protecting it from the itch of a wool dress. A full slip also guaranteed that a dress would be protected from potential snags on the metal hooks of undergarments like garter belts and bustiers.

Less crucial but worth noting, a full slip is very sexy. Many iconic “bad girls” in classic films sported a full slip, high heels and a wicked smile on their way to getting what they wanted. Elizabeth Taylor in both Butterfield 8 and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof showed just how persuasive such a slip could be. And when it’s made from a luxurious fabric, you feel sexier under your clothes.

Even good half slips have become difficult to find, much to the frustration of many women who would prefer their skirts not to ride up as they walk. And when you do find a good full slip, it’s often a mini-slip, little more than a teddy, which is nice but doesn’t really serve the purpose.

You can have better luck shopping online. The site Her Room features a range of full slips in various fabrics and lengths. Some are meant for shaping or concealing while others are designed to improve the look of the dress they are under. All are on the practical side, as befits the Her Room mentality of “lingerie we buy for ourselves.”

As noted, many vintage slips have survived and are available at online shops. In fact, there are several sites dedicated solely to vintage underwear.

One of the best places to go when searching for vintage full slips is Vintage Slips, which sorts the slips by bust sizes from 30/32 to 40 and above. Obviously, you are limited in terms of color and style, but if you find something you adore, you can then take it to a sewing professional and have it remade in a few modern fabrics, making it easier to care for and more versatile.

You should also try Slip Land, a British vintage slip site that is very useful if you prefer more European styles.

While the prices can be a bit higher, it’s worth it to look at Heavenly Vintage Lingerie, which has a good range of slips mostly by popular designers.

If you want to get something with a vintage look but already in a modern fabric, try A Little Lingerie Company, which specializes in retro lingerie. Currently, they only have three full slips to choose from, but they are worth the browse.

While shopping this way can be a bit more frustrating, in the end, you’ll be sure to have an item that is exactly what you dreamed of – and more.

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