Givin' 'em the Slip - Look Rich for Very Little
So I was watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith the other day, and there's one delicious scene in which Angelina, I mean, Jane, is getting dressed in an insanely large walk-in closet. And she's wearing a slip set. I realized how long it's been since I saw anyone wearing a slip. Maybe when I watched/slept through A Streetcar Named Desire? Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? I can't recall, but slips seem to have gone the way of the giant powder puff and embroidered handkerchiefs — and that's a shame.
So, I'm starting a campaign to bring back the slip.
Like our clothes, the slip (and the body shaper, and everything else) has become more techy, more stretchy, more comfy, and easier to tolerate. Some slips are pricey, others are cheap. This is one of the few items of clothing that I believe should be invested in — so buy the good stuff, because it will not only look the best, but will last a long time.
Buying
When purchasing your first dressy undergarments, like other lingerie, it can be helpful to get fitted for one by a professional. If you don't live in an area with a good department store that can tell you what size will work best with your body and wardrobe, you can find tons of slip-sizing information online.
1. Half Slip
The classic under-skirt slip. Traditional versions start at the waist or hips, and end somewhere around the knee. I don't think that a knee-length slip is worth it — almost no business skirts reach the knee these days. A 14-17" slip will really do the trick if you want to maintain a professional image. Having a slip peeking out the bottom of your skirt or dress is kind of uncouth. I'm shocked at how many truly useless, bunchy slips are on the market. Avoid anything that is made of really cheap material, which can be prone to static.
2. Full Slip
I love wearing dresses, so a full slip is often a very important part of my everyday wear. I like the ones by Spanx, but they are a tad pricey. There are many cheaper options that do the job just as well. You can even buy vintage slips, should you like that look.
3. Body Shapers
Spanx makes an incredible line of undergarments that will gently squish and squeeze you into a largely unlumpy state. I've used their body shapers for every wedding I've attended in the past six years. I don't like Spanx's bras, which they push on you at Nordstrom, because they offer zero support for anything more than a size-A cup. But smaller gals may appreciate how comfy they are. Target has their own line of imitation Spanx, called Assets (har!).
4. Camisoles
Although pretty much every tank top sold these days is a modified cami, these can actually be worn under your clothing as well. Camis are a great way to prevent anyone from realizing that it's chilly in the conference room, if you catch my drift. Camis can range from very plain to super-sexy. But they should never bunch up.
5. Care
As a fan of Spanx, I have been sorely disappointed with how quickly the material disintegrates after I throw them through the wash. Saleswomen at department stores will often try to sell you special detergents for your undies. You can buy them, or just buy some Woolite and use that. Although it's difficult to do, ALWAYS wash your expensive undergarments either by hand, or in a zippered mesh net in cold water. Do not throw any of these items through the dryer. Hang them up to dry.
6. Fun and Glamour
Aside from looking better with little effort, the great thing about slips and camis is that they can be kind of fun to wear. I like getting dressed in the morning, and prancing around in my half slip, feeling all feminine and pretty while I select my outfit for the day. It doesn't matter that my dogs don't appreciate the movie-star classiness of my morning routine as I sit at my vanity and practice raising my eyebrows like Vivian Leigh while spritzing with my favorite perfume. What matters is that I enjoy it, and the difference shows in my countenance all day long.
Tagged: Health and Beauty, Shopping, body shaper, bra, lingerie, pantyhose, slip, spanx, support, underwear
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ok, i must admit the times that i've had to wear a slip under a skirt, i didn't actually like the feeling so much. however, the full slips are gorgeous to me. they make a great nightie -- a little more feminine and far far less frump than sweats and pjs. i've found a wide variety at thrift stores -- really beautiful ones, with that old-school quality you mention.
and.. there's this trend now of wearing a dress over jeans. i love this because it covers up all sorts of muffin tops and cinnamon rolls and what-have-you, but is funky and girly still. it works great with a full slip and a little cardigan.
I wish I could pull off the whole jeans-n-a-dress thing. Sigh. If we ever meet up, I'll just live vicariously through your wardrobe.
it's the cure-all for lumps. you *can* pull it off.
oh wait.. is this supposed to be a personal finance blog or something? silly me i thought it was female fashion empowerment.. ahem. back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Great post. I have three half slips I am taking out of my lingerie draw the next time I wear a skirt.
Totally with you the slip thing, but disagree that a slip showing is uncouth. When dressed otherwise stylishly, a little lace showing at the hem is an incredibly feminine touch, especially with contrast, e.g. black skirt, white slip. A slip without slits should be used as this really does look like an accident. Also, the sight of a slip showing is a great way to get your man turned on, believe me!
Hi Sandy
I was born in the 50's so the slip was the first piece of lingerie we fellas ever got to see and in the 50's & 60's, all women wore them. In the movies. a woman in her slip represented nudity and you know what? it's a lot sexier as what you can't see is always the turn on, right?
You're dead right about them being attractive to men, I have to admit whenever a woman had one on show, I looked and I don't mind admitting it. What a pity that they have more or less disappeared. These lacy silky garments were always a welcome sight on a hot date!!
Well that's nostalgia for you, keep wearing them
With very best wishes
Paul in London
Certainly, Sandy - a slip showing is NOT uncouth. A little piece of lace showing at a skirt hem or through a skirt slit is so provocative..... and charming !
I wish the slip would come back just because I think it's one of the sexiest pieces of lingerie a woman can wear, whether it's a fullslip or a halfslip. I'm here to tell you, it's a turn on like you wouldn't believe and I'm not that old! WOW!
Since I am a huge fan of women that wear slips, I sell them on Ebay.
So for all you lovely ladies out there who still wear slips, please visit my Ebay store "The Slip Shop" and maybe you can find that special slip you've been looking for.
I will be listing several more each week as inventory is depleated.
All of the slips I sell are in Excellent Condition if not Mint Condition.
I have a wide selection of Vintage slips for those collectors out there too.
Remember to always let your slips show!
I moved The Slip Shop from Ebay to my own website. You can get there by www.SecondHandSlipShop.com
Please visit for some of the best slips from the 70's & 80's. You will find that all of my slips are in Excellent Condition and are very reasonably priced. If anyone is interested in purchasing lots of 50 to start an online business, please visit www.VintageLingerie.shopping.officelive.com
These slips are sold in lots of 50 at $5.00/piece.
If anyone is interested in purchasing larger lots, please contact me at sliplovin66@hotmail.com so we can discuss pricing and photos.
There is nothing more feminine and sexy than a woman wearing a silky slip. A full slip in smooth satin or nylon, trimmed with delicate lace is perfect to wear to bed in lieu of a plain old nightgown!
Absolutely true what you say about ladies in slips being attractive. My gorgeous wife, Maria, who is in her mid forties is a slip wearer! She always wears a skirt and always with a slip underneath (and quite often peeping below). Her favourite style right now is a very flared or full circle calf length black skirt with a calf length flared white half slip. I do find this combination of swirly black skirt and white slip showing very sexy, and we have often made love with her still wearing her skirt and slip! Enough of that haha, but seriously the slip is the most under appreciated but most appealing item of lingerie in a womans wardrobe. Leep wearing your lovely slips, girls!
Like many women, I'm a bit overweight and my thighs touch together when I stand. A couple of summers ago I pranced around NYC in a flirty skirt and felt fantastic... Until a few hours later, when I developed a soreness and itchy rash on my thighs. Unbeknownst to me, if your thighs are rubbing together in moist summer heat for a few hours, you can develop urticaria, or almost an allergic rash. Awful!
That prompted me to delve into the corner of the lingerie department of department stores {Penny's, Sears, Macy's, etc.) I'd never been in before and thought only "older" women used (I'm in my 20s): the rack with shapewear and slips. I purchased a pair of what I can only call half-slip/half shorts. Black with lace trim, they're satiny and sexy, and serve not only to prevent the uncomfortable rubbing I'd experienced years ago, but also gives me peace of mind that if my skirt ever blows or flips up, my dimpled thighs won't be immediately noticeable. It's great!
I used to feel self-conscious about even owning such a piece of lingerie, but it's just so darned USEFUL, I've had it for a while now and consider it an indispensable piece of my wardrobe -- moreso than blouses that go out of style, or bras & underwear that get worn out quickly.
Also, I don't think I've ever seen the full movie, but there's a line from Steel Magnolias that's stuck with me... When the women are watching other women dancing, they mock one overweight woman dancing. One is incredulous that she's out in public looking like that and says something along the line of, "I haven't left the house without wearing a girdle since I was 18." Oh how those words comfort me! What feels like a realm of lingerie for the over-40 or over-50 crowd feels sanctioned by to be used by those of us still in our 20s but perhaps without the slimmest figure :) It sometimes feels like those of us in our teens or 20s are supposed to naturally look like we don't need girdles or slips or spanx or whatever. I'm so glad it's all coming back into style! I have a wedding to go to in a couple of months and I think I'll look for a nice slip to wear under my dress... (and maybe one that's long enough to be visible, thanks to previous commenters' opinions on its suggestive sexiness!)
Like many men I love wearing a cami and a vintage half slip under my boring male clothing, they suited nicely and wearing the loose fit half slip is a rush I tell you! Sans panties of course for easy restroom action.
Hi there i just wanted you folks to know that by wearing a full slip makes your clothes fit better looks nicer and the feel is awsome and fiminine i was tought that when you wear beautyful things under it brings out the beauty in your self witch makes you feel more wonderful and specail feeling rich in beauty you will feel rich in all things it does'nt get any better then that ladies i just don't wear a dress just to wear it i wear it becuse of the beauty of the dress witch makes me feel like a better women Tha Ta
When I was a young boy I used to play on the floor when my mother had card parties for her women friends. I just loved pushing my cars around near the table and looking up to see what the ladies were wearing under their skirts. I saw such lovely slips and girdles holding taught lovely seamed nylons. When they would cross their legs I caught a view of their lacy panties or petti pants, remember them ladies? They are lovely to look at and fun to wear under boring male clothing. I have switched to panties now because petti pants are so hard to find. I agree about half slips, I have lots of them but wearing panties under them is a must. Go in a stall to pee if you must but wear panties under half slips.