Lets Talk About Slips Baby

Lets talk about you and me. Well, actually I do want to talk about you and me, but only in regards to a certain piece of unmentionables: slips. 

Slips were once beautiful little works of art adorned with pretty lace or intricate embroidery and made from luxurious silk. If you don't talk my word for it, take a look at this slip advertisement from a 1937 Sears catalog.  ( I didn't want to swipe the pic since it's on someone's personal blog, but check out the link, you won't regret it.)  While you're over there drooling at the picture, check out the price, which you'll find to be a meager ninety cents. According to an inflation calculator, if something cost ninety cents in 1937, you would have to shell out around $13.50 for that same item today. $13.50! I think I'll take two in every color.

Now, fast froward to modern times. Slips are not nearly as commonplace as they once were, and are fading more into oblivion with each generation that passes. If you'd like to purchase a pretty and lace-y slip today, such as this one, you're going to have to get out your checkbooks ladies, because it is going to set you back $165.

So, why have slips lost their appeal and are there still advantages to wearing a slip? Firstly, in my opinion, slips have been fading in popularity simply because styles have changed. The majority of women don't wear dresses or skirts on a regular basis, thus having no need for certain silky underthings. Next, when many members of my own generation step outside to the world in a skirt or dress it has a length of approximately -16 inches. Who needs a slip when showing half of your butt cheeks is the goal? 

Another reason that slips may not be as common is the current standard of lining dresses.  I must admit, dear readers, that I really don't like it when dresses or skirts are lined. As someone who has a tendency to chuck dry clean only things in the washing machine I can tell you that most linings will never lay correctly again after having taken a spin, or seven, in your washer. Personally, it would make washing so much easier if I could just wear a slip with everything. First, I could put all my dresses in the wash and never have to worry about lining becoming bunched up. Secondly, if a slip is worn underneath a garment then the slip can be washed with each wear, while the dress can see multiple wears before needing a cleaning. I am on team slip, hands down.

Now, lets move right along to true confessions time. I own only one slip. One plain, black, and boring half slip. There is nothing sleek, sexy, or elegant about that little sliver of fabric with a stretched out elastic waistband. So, what's a girl to do when she wants a pretty, lacey slip but doesn't want to shell out her life's "fortune" on one? You guessed it, sew one! So, readers, I am going to go on a quest to find the perfect slip pattern and whip up one or maybe ten. I promise to keep you all posted on my quest for a pattern and my progress.

That's not all readers, I want to hear from you. Do you like slips? Do you wear slips or do you just lust after one like myself? How do you feel about linings? Would you wear slips if prettier, more feminine options were once again available? Let me know how you feel about slips!