does anyone wear a petticoat anymore?!

[ChipInTheSugar]

I've just bought two gorgeous Phase 8 dresses but feel hot just trying them on! Do I need to brave M&S underwear department for "a nice pettie" as my mother would say?

Also - which are the cheapest most decent Spanx-type pants?

I always, always wear a slip unless a dress is fully lined. It makes all clothes look better. In my youth (a long time ago) 'King Charles is dead' was shorthand for your slip showing. I believe this is because when KC second died the ladies of the court showed their petticoats beneath their dresses in mourning. Although perhaps this is just folklore?! :)

Going off at a tangent slightly, back in the day there was a Sue Barton book in which Nurse Sue and some other nurses get told off by their scandalised tutor for letting their slips show, but it's a mystery as Sue, the little hussy, isn't actually wearing one that day! It turns out she and her colleagues have been standing in front of a white curtain or something, which just happens to look as if it a slip from where the stern nurse tutor is sitting...

I still have my 1980's broderie lace edged cotton Laura Ashley petticoat and now wear it under ever so slightly vintagey dresses to give a puffy effect that is less than I would get from a net underskirt. It makes me feel swishy at school without being utterly ridiculous.
1980's - Princess Diana frilly blouses and pinafore dresses.

I have never heard of these things . In Sweden we dont have these. Now I need them!!

I normally wear a full slip with any thin, unlined or staticky dresses, today I'm wearing a cheap cotton jersey dress from Sainsbury's, it is hanging really nicely with my £4 Primark slip under it.

Thank you Binky - I'll look properly next time!

Papergirl I LOVED Sue Barton!

Might have to dig out my old Sue Barton books now :)

I always wear a waist/full petticoat unless the skirt/dress is fully lined; M&S have a wide selection, the 'cooling' versions are really good.
I find Phase Eight dresses very warm op, I don't think any petticoat will make much difference.