Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

If lingerie shops’ inventory is any indication (and it is, of course), the slip is having a pretty bad moment that is only getting worse. But why? Practically speaking, there is little better for dealing with light-colored or clingy clothing. It can cure transparency issues, smooth over VPL and suspender belt outlines, and keep your stockings and your dress from sticking together unattractively. And of course, any extra layer is a welcome addition when it starts snowing!

Of course, slips aren’t just practical things; where would Cat on a Hot Tin Roof be without Elizabeth Taylor’s scorching little number? Would Jean Harlow have been so seductive if we didn’t all know what was hidden away under her gorgeous frocks? Slips are as glamorous as they are useful. I’ve been wearing them for as long as I can remember, although when other women see my slips they usually say something like, “I don’t even remember the last time I wore one of those.” When I ask for an explanation, no one seems to have an answer.

Secrets In Lace Dominique Slip

In Hidden Underneath: A History of Lingerie, Farid Chenoune claims that the slip’s popularity began to decline as early as the 1950s when fashion became more revealing and breast-oriented. She said that “this little sister to the dress no longer had charms for men now serenaded by seminaked sirens.” However, Andrea Linett (creative director of Lucky Magazine) says, “Slips are totally demure. At a time when nothing is shocking anymore, that’s what makes them sexy.” Rebecca Apsan reflects that sentiment in her book, The Lingerie Handbook: “Where everything else has been reduced to boobs and butts, the slip takes the entire body into consideration. It is understated, subtly seductive, mildly suggestive, inciting the imagination to run wild.” The book, published in 2006, also proclaimed, “they are back!” In the same year, The New York Times predicted a comeback as well, partially spurred on by slip appearances on Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line” and Naomi Watts in “King Kong.” But just a few years later, I’m looking to add a few more slips to my collection and I’m coming up short.

Sure, you can find a slip easily enough if you hit enough shops, but they leave a lot to be desired. The selection is mostly white, black, and beige. The two options seem to be: totally unadorned, or with a strip of lace at the hem. Where is the style? Where are the colors? The variety? The glamour? The vintage market has a lot to offer, and sometimes a chemise can serve you in a pinch, but if you’re looking for a new slip it will be a bit of a hunt. I set out looking for something that caught my eye, and I don’t have a lot to show for it. Farr West and Secrets In Lace have good selections of styles and colors. Victoria’s Secret has a few. Mary Green has one plain full slip but with a good color range. It seems that lingerie shops – if they carry slips at all – stick to the basics and carry maybe one or two styles with a unique detail.

So you wear slips? Why or why not? If you do, do you have any favorite brands or shops, or do you just grab them wherever you can find them (like me)?

The soft lace collection, available in stores now, includes thongs, bikinis, high-rise panties, camis and a great new mid-length a-line slip with commando’s patent-pending weighted hem.  Personally, I love the touch of glamour and sophistication that the lace adds.

The swiss dot collection and the holiday lace collection, both be available later this fall, are a fun and festive way to heat things up as it gets colder outside.

Commando is available at retailers worldwide and on the herlook.com website (with some other great treats as well!).

It’s not out in stores yet, but I’m sure some of you will be adding it to your wishlist and watching out for it as it is not only sexy, but this supportive option goes up to an F cup. This bra slip has been made with anti-static fabric (oh-so-important in a slip) and a bra overlaid with lace.

The slip will be available in both black and white. The straps can be worn halter, standard, asymmetrical, or even strapless, and it’s perfect for the winter 2009 season because it is a seductive option under all your party dresses. Not to mention, it eliminates a layer because your bra and slip will be one in the same. Keep on the lookout for this one!

Greg Gimble, Vice President of Va Bien, says of these products,

“Traditionally, Va Bien shapewear features firm control and is designed for wear under special occasion dresses. However, with today’s form-fitting fashions and the introduction of shapewear to the general public, everyday shapewear has become something quite common. It is with this in mind that we designed the ultra-Lift Cami and Slip. You don’t have to be going to a special event to wear shapewear anymore – new lightweight undergarments can be worn everyday for a nice smooth look, and now with the ultra-Lift Cami and Slip, women can shape their bustline perfectly at the same time.”

One thing I really like about these Va Bien styles as opposed to other similar products is that these actually come in real, honest-to-goodness bra sizes. You buy the Va Bien ultra-Lift Smooth Solutions products in 34B, 36D, 38E, etc. instead of Small, Medium, and Large. You guys know how picky I am about wearing bras that fit correctly, so it would be a definite deal-breaker for me if these didn’t come in defined bra sizes.

The camisole and slip are priced at $65 and $79, respectively. You can buy the camisole from the Va Bien website right now, and the slip will be available on June 1.

All the garments proudly display the traditional “Made in England” label coupled with the initials of the seamstresses who worked on the individual items to further add to the quality workmanship and authenticity of the piece. Meticulous detail is the standard and all of the production decisions are focused on the finer details of the garments. For example,

• lace used in the slips, camisoles and other fine lingerie is softened so that it does not irritate the skin,
• the lace must mold and fit the body perfectly after it is sewn to the garment,
• the computer cuts the patterns with such precision that customers say the garment size was custom made for themselves,
• each customer’s order is monitored through all stages of production,
• and even the quality control people are trained about each individual garment in minute detail so they can quickly find any problems.

So detail oriented is the company that the box in which the garment is shipped is individually made specific for that garment.

Reviewing the picture perfect slip, camisole and nightgown collections, one can see this fine, intricate workmanship in the pretty David Nieper pearl satin slips with exquisite lace around the hems and bodice.

More info on the official David Nieper Site!

In addition to their clothing line, Free People also offers lingerie and swimwear. The intimate line consists of foundations, slips and loungewear. While all the undergarments are sweet, colourful and inviting to wear, the slips are absolutely gorgeous. Choose between a solid coloured pretty tricot and lace slip in raspberry, bright green and navy or a fun vivid print in three tiers of material with solid coloured bodice, geo print flowing down over the body and a lighter coloured print hem. The racerback layering slip in blue, white, black, tangerine or pink is a neat idea to wear under t-shirts or other tops to layer the effect and create an entirely different outfit to wear.

As part of the foundations line, Free People has the most adorable little panties with sweet hummingbird, butterfly, dragonfly, fish, dove and flower motifs The seamless boyshorts come in various colours of creeping vine designs. Burnout printed boxer pants in hot pink, lime or blue with bottom ruffle can be accessorized with a matching camisole characterized by the keyhole front, adjustable straps, smocked back and rolled bottom hem.

Miss Lulu, the one piece bathing suit, is part of the new 2008 collection. Vibrant in pink or green with bandeau bodice and beaded ties at the hips, it is just as pretty as The Fantasy Kingdom black and purple one piece or the Taba Tribal Side Tie Bikini in red with wooden beaded detailing intertwined through the fabric.

A well-established line since the 1970s, Free People sells in their own showrooms in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, a boutique in Paramus, New Jersey and over one thousand bricks and mortar stores across the US including Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. A quick look online and there is a large selection from which to choose on various sites.

Her lingerie is considered as high end as her wedding gowns with elegant creations made of poly charmeuse, silk chiffon, pima jersey, poly satin chiffon, tulle, poly crinkle chiffon, silk charmeuse, crinkle dot jacquard and silk charvet. Just hearing the names of the fabrics spoken out loud exudes the air of dreamy, luxurious, riche creations.

The collection is best described as subtle, timeless elegance. And although, one might feel sexy in one of these dream selections, the overall appearance is more demure and tactful rather than provocative. From thongs to baby dolls and pyjamas to long dressing gowns, Vera Wang lingerie is found in most fine (bricks and mortar) bridal boutiques as well as many online lingerie and bridal stores.

Close your eyes and imagine having one of these lovely designs in your wedding trousseau. Check out the whole collection on verawang.com.

Still, after taking a closer look at the pieces, it seems like a very good “bang for buck”-brand. Flirtatious and hip lingerie at great prices. Lovely bras of well under $20 are no exception! For their Spring 2008 collection they went for shades of cool greens, sweet pinks, berry blues and warm yellows — a pairing to summer wardrobes. The line features a variety of styles in both bras and panties that will make (and I quote) “what goes under your clothes as much of a fashion statement as the clothes themselves”.

I like the looks, but I suggest you make up your own opinion — we’ve got pics!

Ambrielle has a lovely website — make sure you check it out (and make sure to keep your eyes open for Ambrielle on TLP!).

The Fall/Winter ‘08 collection will even be featuring a maternity thong with buckles on the side – so very pregnant women don’t have to go through the lopsided torture of trying to bend down to put their panties on! By the end of the month, the site will be updated with a new collection and easy access to online purchasing. We’ll let you know as soon as the updates are complete!