The slip is
the successor to the older petticoat and chemise as worn during the Edwardian
era. While the chemise covered the entire torso down to below the knee, the
petticoat was worn from the waist down only and often gave shape to the outer
garment.
A slip can
be a full slip or a half slip (covering the waist down).
First dating
from the late 1910’s and the early 1920’s, the slip is a lightweight garment
worn under dresses and skirts, over the top of briefs and bra. Commonly used
fabrics include nylon, silk, rayon, and cotton. Today microfibre and bamboo are
also used to make some slips. In the past, satin and taffeta were favoured for
wearing under sheer dresses of the same colour.
Traditionally,
slips were made mostly in neutral tones of white, blush, beige and black.
Styles reflected
each decade:
1920s –
loose and tubular with little embellishment
1930s –
plain but cut on the bias
1940s – the bust
is well defined in the slip and it is more likely to be embellished with trims
in lace – rayon the most common fabric
1950s –
definition and embellishment are enhanced. The bra-slip appeared, combining the
bra and slip into a single garment. Silk, nylon and satin are common.
1960s –
smoother of fit, shorter in length, slips were more often made in bright
colours and printed fabrics
Today’s
slips are generally very plain, with minimal embellishment. They are worn
purely to combat sheer garments, and these days most garments of this type are
lined, so the need for a slip has diminished greatly. Whereas in decades past a
woman was not considered to be properly dresses without a slip, today they are
the exception.
Slips however
can still be very sexy, and a pleasure to wear...
