The most adorable classic vintage underwear online. Free Shipping on all UK orders.
How to buy a vintage slip - a beginner's guide.
The best simple tips and advice: what is a vintage slip?
What is a vintage slip? How to buy your first vintage slip. A slip, also known as an underskirt, petticoat, or half-slip, is an undergarment originally designed to be worn for modesty and comfort underneath a skirt or dress. It’s made of smooth material such as nylon, satin or silk which helps it gently cling to the body, giving an added layer between the skirt and your skin. Although slips are not necessary for most garments these days due to the design innovations of ready-to-wear fashion, they still serve a practical purpose in providing fluidity, body shape definition and coverage, as well as being glamorous for their own sake.
"I bought my first vintage slip and I've never looked back".
I bought my first vintage slip from a charity shop while I was at university studying fashion and dress history, at a time when very few women even knew what nylon slips for ladies were, let alone wear one. It was a pale champagne colour 1950's pleated hem full slip by Barbizon. I still have it today and I would never part with it. Interestingly, when my friends were in my room they would notice it and very soon they wanted to have something similar for themselves. Afterwards, whenever I saw nylon slips for sale I would buy the ones I liked the most and my collection soon grew. I was hooked on collecting vintage nylon slips and other fifties frillies and so were many of my friends. I even became a slip model for a time for local photographic groups who wanted to create tasteful images of women wearing slips. I soon began to realise there was a lot of interest about women in slips as a focus for glamour.
"8000 vintage slips, madame? Wine not?! Sip back and relax!"
Sometime after that I began working for a contemporary lingerie manufacturing company and I was having dinner with a German business associate in a lovely hotel restaurant overlooking the river Rhine near Düsseldorf in northern Germany. I think I might have had a little too much wine, because I somehow and rather rashly agreed to buy the entire contents of a warehouse in Saxony that he needed to clear out before the developers moved in.
He made me an offer I couldn't refuse because the warehouse was full of vintage women’s nylon slips from the 1940’s to the 1960’s - approximately 8000 of them - that he needed to get rid of before he could start working on the building. Luckily for me, he'd remembered I had an interest in mid-century vintage underwear and made me the offer. After recovering from that “oh no, what have I done?” reaction the next morning, I eventually came to realise it was the best thing I ever did. If you can't imagine what 8000 vintage slips looks like, that's 6 square metre bales. Too heavy to lift, we needed a fork lift truck to load them on to the back of a UK-bound articulated lorry!
"Follow your heart, follow your style".
When it comes to investing in a vintage slip, size and style are two of the most important considerations. Make sure to take accurate measurements and purchase a slip in the right size for you. You don't necessarily need multiple slips for various occasions; opt for one or two high-quality slips instead of buying cheaply made ones. Depending on your personal style, you can choose subtle colors like nude or white or invest in a more glamorous piece with lots of lace details. Match the length of your slip with the length of your dresses; if you prefer a classic retro look, go for a midi-length vintage slip for a glamorous vintage woman 1940's look.
"Always wear a pretty slip to bed. You'll never know who you'll meet in your dreams".
Slips, traditionally worn as undergarments, can actually make for comfortable nightwear due to their breathable fabrics and comfortable designs. Full slips, in particular, can double as nightdresses with their soft touch and flexible fit. So, if you are looking for a comfortable and stylish option for bedtime, consider slipping into a slip!
Slips aren't just for sleeping in too! They can also double as comfortable loungewear for those lazy days at home. Picture yourself savoring your morning coffee in a luxurious satin slip or relaxing on the sofa in a soft, silky nylon slip while watching your favorite TV show in the evening. Slips are versatile and can be both practical and glamorous. Don't let the stereotype of slips being old-fashioned fool you - slips can actually be very sexy to wear. In fact, some of Hollywood's most glamorous leading ladies have worn slips on screen to create a steamy and alluring look. So, don't be afraid to embrace the practicality and beauty of slips in your own wardrobe. After all, sometimes the most sensible choices can also be the most stunning.
Slips heaven! How to choose and buy a vintage slip,
by Emma Benitez of Nylon Nostalgia.
Your definitive guide to buying vintage slips and petticoats
Why wear a vintage slip? What to look out for.
"Wearing a nice slip makes me feel really glamorous".
Wearing a vintage slip is a great way to add an extra element of style to any outfit. Whether you're wearing a 1940s dress or something just as classic, donning the right vintage slip can add an alluring layer and timeless flair. With Nylon Nostalgia's vintage nylon slips, you can experience the full effect of wearing classic and timeless clothing. Vintage slips not only give your body the perfect "fluidity" when it comes to wearing fitted dresses, but they are also incredibly beautiful objects that can be worn on their own for a glamorous, chic look. When you add one of our carefully chosen and exquisite antique slips to an outfit, you will feel both elegant and confident!
"Pretty lingerie makes it all better!"
If you're after a timeless look that provides comfort and style, vintage slips are the perfect way to go. Whether it's delicate silk or nylon, or deluxe satin, wearing a slip underneath a 1930's or 40's fashion style dress instantly adds elegance and helps to prevent your dress or skirt from sticking to your skin. If you want to stay comfortable while looking chic, then try adding a vintage slip to your wardrobe!
When you have a vintage dress that you want to wear, it is important to ensure that the slip you buy matches the style of that dress. Different fashion trends influenced slip design, so if you have a 1950's dress, look for 1950s slips! Wearing a mismatched slip with your favourite 50's dress could affect how it feels and looks when you wear it. Do your research and track down the right slip for your vintage dress - it'll make all the difference in how your outfit looks. When buying a slip, it's important to consider the length and neckline that will best complement your dress or skirt. The right slip will help your clothing hang smoothly and flatter your body shape.
"Wear a beautiful slip, even if you are the only person who is going to see it".
Remember, a slip should always be invisible under your outerwear, so choose wisely! When it comes to wearing a slip under a dress or skirt, it's important to get the length just right. A good rule of thumb is to have the hem of the slip end two to three inches above the bottom of the skirt. This ensures that when you sit down or take a stride, the slip won't peek out from under the skirt. If the slip is only slightly shorter than the skirt, there's a risk of it being visible and ruining the overall look. Disregard all this if you are just buying a gorgeous slip for nothing other than the pleasure and glamour of wearing it - that's the fun bit after all!
When purchasing vintage slips, always be aware that vintage clothing sizing may differ from modern-day sizes. Therefore, it is important to check a vintage slip's measurements before buying in order to ensure a proper fit. Try wearing a vintage slip under your favorite dress or skirt and revel in the timeless sophistication it adds!
"Choose your vintage slips carefully. Quality is everything".
It is important to know some signs of quality when buying a vintage slip for the first time. Gores are an important part of any slip, as it is these sections of the fabric that give the slip its shape. Generally, more gores will result in better quality and a more feminine outline, though too many gores can be overkill - usually anything up to 8 gores is quite adequate. Therefore, when shopping for vintage slips, be sure to pay attention to how many gores they have as this will determine their overall look and feel.
See also The Slip Shop at https://theslipshop.co.uk/ for a whole gallery of fabulous slip pictures, vintage slip videos, as well as helpful information about how to buy beautiful vintage nylon slips.
Wikipedia on Slips: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slip_(clothing)
Angela Friedman: https://angelafriedman.com/blogs/news/reasons-to-wear-a-slip
Jane Woolrich: https://www.jane-woolrich.co.uk/
Looking for Vintage Slips?
Your shortcut to Slips Heaven. Click the button below to see my slips for sale...
How to buy a Vintage Slip in 4 easy steps
