Silky Slips

History of Silky Slips

Silk was developed in China, perhaps as far back as 200 BC. The labor of industrious silkworms was spun into fabric that was soft, comfortable, cool in summer and warm in winter. It was also beautiful. So it was no surprise that when Westerners came to China, they were immediately taken with this marvelous fabric and had to have as much of it as possible for both outer and underwear.

Slips date back to at least the 1900s, when they were worn with many other layers of undergarments. When dresses became slimmer and less fitted in the 1920s, undergarments slimmed down as well. A silk slip was the perfect piece to wear under a body skimming dress with a flirty skirt, as it moved with the dress and didn’t cling. If a woman was wealthy, she wore silk stockings as well and felt sexy all day and night!

For women who wanted the feel of silk but couldn’t afford it, imitation silk was a boon. Often easier to care for and sturdy, it may not have quite the same fluidity of motion or touch the skin so sensually, but it was still beautiful, moved well under clothes and made the wearer feel alluring in a way that cotton just can’t.

Shopping for Silky Slips

Although all women look irresistible in a full silky slip that skims the body and flows prettily around the hips and knees, fewer and fewer women include a full slip in their wardrobe for regular wear. As such, good silky slips are harder to find and more expensive. You can do very well finding vintage silk slips if you have the time and patience to shop for them, but if you want something new, you can start with WinterSilks, which, as you can gather from the name, specializes in silk underwear for warmth. Silk is an ideal winter layer, because it keeps you warm but also breathes, so you also stay dry. However, a pure silk slip can be worn any time of year and be comfortable. WinterSilks’ current slip collection includes:

• Lace-trimmed slip in black, cream or mocha. Made of lightweight filament silk, it skims the thighs, has an elastic waist and can be machine-washed.

• Lace-trimmed pointelle chemise in black, magenta or seafoam. An empire waist slip in silk cotton that can be machine-washed.

• Three-quarter slip with an elastic waist. Made of filament silk and machine-washable.

If you want a silky slip and don’t mind that it isn’t silk, try Her Room, which carries the Hanky Panky Silky Skin line of slips. For true indulgence, they also carry the FarrWest Silk Charmeuse collection. If you’re good about caring for your lingerie, you can afford to splash out on something pricier, because it will last a long time.

Vintage Silk Slips

Full slips from the 1930s and 1940s are a wonderful thing to wear because they were cut on the bias and thus flow over the body in a particularly sensuous way. Most quality online shops specializing in vintage clothing will also carry lingerie, and if you’re concerned about the fit, someone should be able to advise you. A few good shops to browse include:

• Slipland, “the home of vintage slips.” They have a large collection of full and half slips.
• Heavenly Vintage Lingerie. They not only have full and half slips, they have vintage bras that were designed to be worn specifically under those full slips, which makes for a better fit.
• Dandelion Vintage, has a small but very nice lingerie section.

Don’t be discouraged if you find more rayon then real silk. Good rayon will still feel beautifully silky and luxurious every time you put it on.