Sheer Dresses and Blouses

[Miss Dottie]

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.

Ah--perhaps this is the answer to my navy slip needs. And then I could make the thicker straps.

Thanks again, Jitterbugdoll!

 

[KittyT]

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!

One of the ideas that came up for someone else who had a knit dress that needed an under dress was using a nightgown. You might be able to find a plain nightgown with short sleeves in an appropriate color.

 

[KittyT]

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.

The answer to your navy slip problems is to buy a nice white one (I buy nice white vintage slips at a local thrift store for $3) and a bottle of liquid RIT dye. Dyeing slips (if they are 100% nylon) is super duper easy and the results are fun! You can find custom color combinations at http://www.ritdye.com/Create+Custom+Color.9.lasso

 

[GoldLeaf]

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.

Nashoba, I hope I don't sound too ignorant or pry too much here. Tell me to mind my own beeswax if I do When you say endowed member, is that a position in the Church? Are you required to wear those garments as part of that position? So do you have the option of wearing different undergarments? Or do you mean you have a large bust?

I'm sorry if I am asking things I shouldn't. I just got very confused, which is easy for me. I know that certain denominations have requirements for dress, so I wasn't sure if this is one of those instances

 

[Nashoba]

Nashoba, I hope I don't sound too ignorant or pry too much here. Tell me to mind my own beeswax if I do When you say endowed member, is that a position in the Church? Are you required to wear those garments as part of that position? So do you have the option of wearing different undergarments? Or do you mean you have a large bust?

I'm sorry if I am asking things I shouldn't. I just got very confused, which is easy for me. I know that certain denominations have requirements for dress, so I wasn't sure if this is one of those instances

Not at all. Being endowed simply means that I have been through the Temple and made certain covenants with the Lord. The garments are a constant outward representation and reminder of those covenants that I have made. All church members who have been to the temple wear them as their regular undergarments. Or at least are supposed to . It also helps to remind the wearer that we are supposed to be modest in our dress and appearence and it kind of forces it in a way. Makes it difficult to find formalwear sometimes but hey, I'll make that sacrifice for God .

 

[GoldLeaf]

Wow! Pretty cool Thanks for sharing, its always interesting to learn something new! I really respect people who live their faith with such devotion, it is quite admirable! :eusa_clap

 

[Nashoba]

Wow! Pretty cool Thanks for sharing, its always interesting to learn something new! I really respect people who live their faith with such devotion, it is quite admirable! :eusa_clap

Always happy answer the questions . I have a really diverse and ecclectic background so I'm used to it . Thanks!

 

[Kimberly]

Well, I have been stocking up on vintage full slips this past week and now have one in nude, black and this gorgeous accordian pleating one I picked up today!

Now I can buy shear dresses. :eusa_clap

Here is the slip, I have to show it.

Closeup of the according pleating.

Vanity Fair label I have never seen before. [huh]

 

[KittyT]

Vanity Fair label I have never seen before. [huh]

That's funny, every Vanity Fair slip I have has this tag in it. According to the vintage Vanity Fair guide at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=79289706, this label came into use in 1949. I do have a slip that probably dates to the 60s that also has this tag in it.

 

[Elisa]

I asked my mother about the sheer 40s dresses, since she was a "nice girl" but quite the flirt. She admitted you wore a pretty slip under them, not an underdress. This is right before and during World War II. The slip also hid the garter belt.

 

[Kimberly]

I asked my mother about the sheer 40s dresses, since she was a "nice girl" but quite the flirt. She admitted you wore a pretty slip under them, not an underdress. This is right before and during World War II. The slip also hid the garter belt.

Elisa, it is so good to see you!! :eusa_clap

I am Kallen305 over at the eBay vintage boards! I love your avie!

 

[Shearer]

I found this picture today on an ephemera site and it made me think of this thread...

Sheer blouse, anyone?

 

[Sunny]

That picture is fantastic! Thanks for sharing it!

The one on the left definitely looks like a bra. I don't see the smooth outline or edges of a slip or camisole.

Keep in mind that a flash can make whites show up more than other colors. I have a perfect example of this:

This is an early 1860s reproduction dress. It's made with a dark blue and black plaid gauze cotton. Because it's a lightweight fabric, for summer, I made a "low" lining for the bodice. That means instead of having the same neckline as the bodice, the neckline is very wide (nearly off the shoulder) and a little low in front and back. It's like having a sewn-in camisole.

Although the fabric is lightweight and semi-sheer when held up to the light, as a dress it's completely opaque. I was disappointed! I wanted the lining to show - that's part of the fun of a sheer dress.

BUT this picture was taken at night. The flash reflected off the white lining. See the line running from my shoulder toward the brooch? Trust me, it's invisible under normal lighting.

I'll just bet you that that girl's blouse isn't quite as scandalously sheer as it looks in the picture!

 

[Shearer]

I'll just bet you that that girl's blouse isn't quite as scandalously sheer as it looks in the picture!

I agree, I wonder what she thought when she saw that picture Is it black rayon that also goes sheer under flash?

Sunny, that's a beautiful dress. You're quite the seamstress!

 

[Sunny]

Aww, thank you! I wore it for five days straight back in March - it's a great dress.

I've never heard about any material in particular that went sheer... but that just means I've never heard. :eusa_clap If I were forming a grayscale guess on the color of the blouse, I'd say it was blue. My theory, based on how my other dress behaved, is that it's not the outer fabric that goes sheer; it's that the white underneath "glows" like a reflector in the flash and goes right through the sheer.

 

[Honey Doll]

Shoulder pads?

Maybe this is a silly question....

I picked up some lovely sheer silk chiffon in a novelty print and am planning on making a dress. Certainly my slip will be visible as would any shoulder pads.

I don't have any vintage sheer dresses, nor have I had my hands on any.

Can anyone tell me if vintage pieces utilized shoulder pads, or if they would be foregone as they would be presumably visible through the sheer fabric?

Honey Doll

 

[Kim_B]

I found this picture today on an ephemera site and it made me think of this thread...

Sheer blouse, anyone?

Inquiring minds would like to know - what website did you find this on?! I'm always looking for ephemera sites for crafty purposes...

 

[DimeADanceQueen]

Maybe this is a silly question....

I don't have any vintage sheer dresses, nor have I had my hands on any.

Can anyone tell me if vintage pieces utilized shoulder pads, or if they would be foregone as they would be presumably visible through the sheer fabric?

Honey Doll

Hi HD!
I have a couple of sheer dresses from the late 40s which have no shoulder pads in them now, one looks like at some point it did have something shoulder pad styled. I can see where it's been cut out.
I have one from the early '50s, that doesn't ahve them.
And then I have a couple of patterns that suggest sheer material in the drawings and come with shoulder pad pattern pieces.

Not much help huh? Kinda sounds like you could be accurate going either way.

hope that helps some.

 

[KittyT]

Can anyone tell me if vintage pieces utilized shoulder pads, or if they would be foregone as they would be presumably visible through the sheer fabric?

Honey Doll, I have seen them on Ebay both with and without shoulder pads.

 

[pigeon toe]

Maybe this is a silly question....

I picked up some lovely sheer silk chiffon in a novelty print and am planning on making a dress. Certainly my slip will be visible as would any shoulder pads.

I don't have any vintage sheer dresses, nor have I had my hands on any.

Can anyone tell me if vintage pieces utilized shoulder pads, or if they would be foregone as they would be presumably visible through the sheer fabric?

Honey Doll

I have a vintage dress that has a sheer part to it where the shoulder pads are visible. I don't really like the look since the shoulder pads are a little lumpy since it's old, and since it's sheer white on white shoulder pads, they are pretty obvious. I might remove them all together or cover them in a beige fabric to see if that makes them less noticeable.

I don't know how it would look in your situation, but at least you know they were used!