Sheer Dresses and Blouses

[Kimberly]

How does one go about wearing those shear dresses I see?

On eBay? There are a ton of pretties getting listed on eBay but they are totally sheer and see through.

Now I know there was more of an element of modesty than there is today so obviously they had something solid on underneath it. Does anyone have any ideas what that might have been. [huh]

 

[Lady Day]

**Merged thread**

I can see you....


LD

 

[jitterbugdoll]

There is a simple solution--they were meant to be worn over a full slip in a matching or complementary color. Sheer blouses worn with solid skirts can be worn with a full slip, or a camisole under the blouse, though I am inclined to wear full slips under all dresses and skirts (sometimes items that you think are opaque turn out not to be. )

 

[Kimberly]

Thanks LD! I am a tad slow tonight due to the heavy does of Benedryl I took for my allergies. I didn't even think of doing a search.

JDB, that makes sense now. I bet dresses like that would be really nice in the summer. I don't know if I could be brave enough to do it though. What if peeps could see through the slip too.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

There is a simple solution--they were meant to be worn over a full slip in a matching or complementary color. Sheer blouses worn with solid skirts can be worn with a full slip, or a camisole under the blouse, though I am inclined to wear full slips under all dresses and skirts (sometimes items that you think are opaque turn out not to be. )

I haven't ever had that issue; I mostly wear vintage slips made from thicker nylon or rayon taffeta, and nothing shows through.

 

[Kimberly]

Thanks JBD. I do own some vintage regular slips and I can definately tell they are of better quality. I will now be on the hunt for a full slip as well. I need one anyhow for a ribbon suit I own that I want to wear for the summer. That is if the summer ever gets here.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Don't remind me of the weather, Kimberly! I am about to move to Boston, and I am afraid that 20 years in Phoenix have thinned my blood completely. lol

Vintage full slips are plentiful on eBay, and usually quite inexpensive. It's always good to have a couple of basic colors (nude, black), and then you can go about coordinately slips as you collect sheer ensembles.

 

[Kimberly]

Doh sorry JBD! lol

You will be thankful if you move here in the summer though. It is goregeous here in the summer. Plus you are not that far away from the Cape and other beaches. The fall is beautiful too. The folliage is outstanding and the air is refreshing and....and.....

Seriously, the weather is lovely here!! :whistling .

::Runs to find Daisy so she can back me up:: lol

 

[Brooksie]

Yestarday I went to goodwill and I found a sheer black dress for $4.99 and it is very much like the picture on the pattern that Jitterbugdoll posted on here earlier only the one that I found does not have a bow at the neck but it has a scalloped edge bit of lace around the neck with some simple beadwork on it, the lable was cut out and I am guessing it is from the 40's or 50's, I think because the label was cut they did not realize what they had when they priced it lucky for me!

Here is my question, I do have a solid basic black slip and this is what I will be wearing under it but could a person wear lets say a red camisol and matching red slip (set) underneath it or a solid red slip instead of the black slip, Would this be outrageous and would it even be period correct?

Brooksie

 

[Lady Day]

Ive seen flowered sheer slips over white even black, but I dont think Ive seen an elaborate base over a sheer dress. I would think that would be rather show stopping for even an average lady out on the town. Singers and movie stars, maybe. Or maybe just a daring gal who knows her stuff.

LD

 

[Tourbillion]

Brooksie, I don't know about a red slip, but I have seen contrasting linings on chiffon or lace party dresses. I've seen white, nude, blue, sometimes red. They look pretty nice. Lauren mentioned patterned slips, so maybe she knows more than I do about that.

As for your red slip, how does it look? If you don't feel comfortable then don't wear it, if you think it is classy then maybe try it out. I probably don't need to mention that this probably isn't an "office" look.

However, I've seen girls out swing dancing in all colors of bras (no camisole mind you) under sheer blouses, they have a lot more nerve than me. They also get asked to dance a lot more than I do.

 

[KittyT]

You will be thankful if you move here in the summer though. It is goregeous here in the summer.

fftopic: but I totally disagree. I grew up in a dry climate and I would take a hot, dry 110 degree summer day over any 80 degree day in Boston with 90% humidity. Summer here is disgusting.

 

[Brooksie]

As for your red slip, how does it look? If you don't feel comfortable then don't wear it, if you think it is classy then maybe try it out. I probably don't need to mention that this probably isn't an "office" look. [Quoted by Tourbillion.]

Never to fear about me wearing this at unappropriate times... since I work at a pub and the dress code is jeans and a pub t shirt (yuck! Hate those pub t's and customers actually pay $18.00 for them!) I am only able to wear my vintage when I am out and about.

Brooksie

 

[Nashoba]

Modesty

Ok so here's my question. I have a beautiful navy blue sheer dress from the 40's but I'm terrified to wear it. I understand the whole slip thing, but here's my issue. I'm an endowed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon to those of you that just said huh?) I wear garments (think of them like really modest underwear) and the top has small cap sleeves with a square back and a sweetheart style neckline. I havn't been able to find ANY slips ANYWHERE that would cover my garments under a sheer dress like that and not look ridiculous. The best I've been able to find are wide strap style slips but they come in strange colors or with lacy inserts that just in my opinion look strange. I have the same problem when it comes to wearing the sheer blouses. I just can't wear a camisole under a sheet blouse because it won't cover my garments and it just looks really tacky. Does anyone know where I can find a slip that might work but still 'fits' in the time period or am I just asking too much? I hate not being able to wear it, it will be so wonderful in the hot humid summers we have here in the south, but I can't just not wear my garments either.....ARGHHHHH

 

[Sunny]

Nashoba, do you sew? After my own recent slip debacle, I've been paying more attention to vintage lingerie patterns on ebay and other sites. I've seen a number of early 1940s slip patterns that are essentially sleeveless dresses. The neckline isn't terribly low (and that's easy to alter), and the straps aren't just attached ribbon; they're cut in one with the bodice front and 2-3" wide. One of those, in silk, nylon, or even cotton, might be just perfect.

 

[Nashoba]

Nashoba, do you sew? After my own recent slip debacle, I've been paying more attention to vintage lingerie patterns on ebay and other sites. I've seen a number of early 1940s slip patterns that are essentially sleeveless dresses. The neckline isn't terribly low (and that's easy to alter), and the straps aren't just attached ribbon; they're cut in one with the bodice front and 2-3" wide. One of those, in silk, nylon, or even cotton, might be just perfect.

I actually sew for a living lol. Not clothing though I make unit flags for the military. I do sew alot of my own clothing though, but I havn't been able to find any slip patterns that aren't just the ribbon type strappy straps. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough lol. But I wasn't sure that if I do make it myself, if I should just go with plain and simple black or navy or if it should have some kind of lacey look to it. I want it to look good but I want to keep it as true to the period as I can.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Most of my vintage slips are plain rayon, silk, or nylon, and some have a bit of embellishment (such as lace or embroidery) at the neckline.

I did come across this pattern: http://www.evadress.com/3076.html; the straps are definitely wider than ribbon straps, and I think you could easily add a little cap sleeve and raise the neckline to accommodate your garments.

 

[KittyT]

Well I'm not sure you're going to find anything true to the period that isn't a slip with staps. It sounds like what you need is an under-dress with sleeves just long enough to cover the sleeves of your gament!

 

[Nashoba]

Yeah, I'm starting to think that too. Which means I'm probably going to have to make it and I was trying to avoid that. Sigh. Just goes to show when you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Thanks!

 

[Miss Dottie]

I wear them with little camisols or strappy tank tops with built-in support. I have a lovely sheer 40s dress that sat in my closet for months before I found a slip for it.

These days I see a lot of women wearing just a really fancy bra underneath sheer, patterned blouses. Never did get up the courage for that. ^_^ Mom does it all the time, though.

BV

Yes, I have the same problem right now. I bought the most darling sheer vintage dress last year and it is just sitting my closet reminding me how cute it is. Navy with pink flowers on it and am trying to find a navy slip for it.

Along with my continuing search for navy shoes. Soon! Oh, and the money for the navy shoes too.