to wonder why we, and our mums, used to wear the silly garments...

[KatrineEM]

petticoats?

I don't remember what age my sisters and I stopped having to wear petticoats (thin, little dresses under clothing), but I've never even thought of dressing my DD in one.

Mums used to wear underskirts, with elasticated waistbands, didn't they? I wonder why?


AIBU to think petticoats are/were a silly garment?

[poorpaws]

I remember the liberty bodice, I hated hated hated it. I don't think any of my friends wore one but I was made to. I bet the youngsters on here have no idea what they are ~ lucky them.

[totallystumped]

Remember the ones in the 70s(?) with the deep lace/broderie anglais to show below the hem of the skirt?
How about a dis-honorable mention for cami-knickers?

[YoniBottsBumgina]

I can't stand them. Even the thought makes me cringe - all silky and slinky, ugh! I hate the feel of silk, especially on someone's body when they're all warm in bed. DP has a silk bathrobe and I make him take it off! I think he would love it if I bought a silk petticoat.

[crazycanuck]

To the poster who wondered if petticoats were a British thing, I think you are spot on there. I grew up in Canada and while my mom definitely had some slips, I never ever wore anything like you lot are describing and neither did any of my friends (and I'm soon 40 so no spring chicken!)

[garlicgrump]

Yonitime & OneFinger - Silk chemise. I'm going to have to stop searching for them now, or scrape the rust off my machine and start making 'em! Love your floaty Morgan layers, as well, Earthy - looking at the prices, I think it's time I did go back to dre$$making

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

I miss petticoats. My DDs need an extra layer under thin school frocks.

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Mine were all cotton as a kid.

[MarjorieAntrobus]

I always wear a slip/petticoat/underskirt under a skirt or dress because it makes the garment hang better and underwear doesn't show through, as has been said above a few times. You can still buy slips in M&S, and probably in other places too.

I'm surprised they are now generally thought to be redundant as, like Adrina, I've seen plenty of "see-through horrors".

[HibiscusIsland]

Who remembers kilts with attached vests from their childhood. This is the only photo i can find

You wore a jumper over them.

[GeorgianMumto5]

I love petticoats. I do have trouble finding ones that match the lengths of my skirts, though. If your skirt is flimsy, they stop that translucent effect, stop it clinging to your legs...oh I luff them!

Dd had some handmedown pinafore style ones when she was 3-4. Love 'em!

[gordyslovesheep]

Me Hibiscus - I couldn't find any pictures - I had red ones and a green one

[gordyslovesheep]

OMG I can buy one for my kids

[SelfRighteousPrissyPants]

I had a slightly see-through dress so my MIL lent me a slip but the static was almost unbearable! So I realised why we stopped wearing them

[KatoPotato]

Ahhh Hibiscus I do! What on earth was the appeal do you think?

I always remember my Dad warming our pink polyester 'simmits' at the electric fire and slowly sizzling brown spots onto them!

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Anyone remember the M&S bra-slips from the '70s? They were slips with a built-in bra and were lovely! I remember having a bright turquoise one.

Haven't worn any sort of petticoat/slip/vest for at least 30 years now.

[allmycats]

They are perfect for wearing under un-lined clothing, make the fabric hang properly and not cling to the body so there is a smoother appearance and I really like them.

[QuinionsRainbow]

I had a couple of half-slips when I was at school, but didn't wear them very often and haven't worn anything like that since. Never had a full-length slip - too clingy up top for me and too much like wearing a vest - ugh! I remember a cousin coming to stay one weekend when I was in my mid-teens. She forgot to bring a nightie with her and spent the week sleeping in the full-length petticoat that she then often wore through the day.

[diddl]

I tend to think of a petticoat as something layered & meant to be seen.

To go under something thin/stop clothes sticking-don't you just say underslip?

[Spinstrel]

Wasn't there a scandalous (then) picture of Lady Diana Spencer caught with her skirt clinging to her legs with no petticoat, in the early 1980s?

[UtterflyButterfly]

I generally wear trousers, but have recently bought more skirts, and was only thinking the other day I needed a slip.

Anyone remember the phrase 'Charlie's dead', when your petticoat was too long and showed under your skirt? (unintentionally). This was always a problem at school, as we used to roll our skirts up at the waist to make them shorter, but then your petticoat showed! (late 1960's early 70's)

[DeWe]

Hibiscus not only did I have one (when about 5yo) I had a couple for dd1 and dd2 who are now 12 and 9yo when they were toddlers. I got them off ebay.

[HibiscusIsland]

I quite like kilt vests. I think they look nice with a knitted jumper. I'd prefer the vest bit to be cotton rather than nylon as in the 70s. Probably more comfy than a skirt kilt

[ParsingFancy]

I'm wearing one today. Under an unlined wool skirt: helps the skirt hang better and means I can wear the skirt an extra day (it doesn't wash well).

Also much used with flimsy see-through summer stuff - though at the moment it's more use as an extra thermal layer.

[GlassofRose]

I wished more women adopted slips/petticoats it's stops you having to see their lumps and bumps and vpl

[MrsHoarder]

I might make myself a silk one if I can get a pale silk in the sale at some point.

I had one underneath my pinafore in infants, but have no idea what a liberty bodice is.