Is the half slip an antique?

 

Does anyone still wear a half-slip? Anyone? …...and there just might be no response, perhaps one or two, if you ask longer. Whatever happened to that smooth fabric, usually white or black that women often wore under their dresses and skirts?

 

Karen Kafuko, a sassy businesswoman says, “I last wore a half-slip about 10 years ago! They are not stylish anymore, especially since most clothes nowadays have lining.”

 

Unlike Kafuko, Rachel Amolo, an IT student at Mbarara University owns half-slips, but does she wear them? “I do have half-slips, but hardly wear them since I love my jeans. And for dresses, I usually buy those with lining. Half-slips are inconveniencing, especially when they slip down and can be seen!”

 

Similarly, the men seem to have the same idea about the once decent underwear expected of morally upright females. 

“You mean women still wear those things?

 

The term out dated came to my mind immediately you mentioned a half-slip. I have noticed girls don’t wear half-slips anymore; I think it’s a burden wearing cloth underneath a cloth. Nonetheless, I am sure my mother and aunts still wear them because I imagine they grew up wearing them and habits are hard to break,” says Roy Tumwesigye, a currency trader.

 

Likewise, Hamza Salim, a sportsman has a rather naughty idea about half-slips. 

“Girls today love wearing cute dresses and without the half slip, the silhouette of their legs, lit by the sun is lovely to look at.”

Despite the claims that they are old fashioned, uncomfortable and unnecessary, Paula Butagira, a fashion expert says that half-slips are still fashionable, just for the reason that they are still very necessary.

 

“If your outfit has no lining and is transparent, the only thing which will redeem your modesty is a half-slip. The only substitute for a half-slip is built-in lining. If you are wearing an outfit tailored in a fabric that will leave very little to the imagination, request the designer to incorporate a lining during the stitching,” she advises.

 

Butagira further warns against the misconception that cycling shorts (commonly known as bikers) can replace half-slips. 

“They DO NOT do the job. Here’s a little test…wear a pair under a transparent dress and stand in a doorway with the light to the back of you…you will see what I mean.”

 

She further advises that half slips should be worn under transparent dresses and under dresses with clingy fabric, which may seem on a mission to emphasize every single lump and bump.

 

Similarly, Keturah Kamugasa, a fashion expert advises that half-slips be worn underneath sheer garments that have flimsy lining or no lining at all, with see-through clothing, when wearing white or very colourful knickers.

 

The fashion expert says half-slips are still as essential as bras or knickers as they allow the garment to ‘sit’ well on the body. She advises that even if most of one’s clothes are lined, they should have at least two half-slips in their underwear drawer, but if a regular user, they need to buy half a dozen, including a full slip for those days when there is  need to cover up more.

 

She adds, “Why six? Because your clothes vary in length and body tightness. If you wear slits, you will need one with a slit. Don’t just go for nylon but try jersey, cotton, satin and silk as well. You need a short one, long one, one with a slit, a stretch one (with spanx), satin, silk, and sheer lace for romantic nights out.”

 

However, she warns of one of the commonest mistakes women make with the half slip, wearing a split (or slitted) garment and try to cover up the slit with a half-slip. “That is a no-no. Frankly, apart from your lover, no one is interested in seeing your underwear.”

 

Similarly, Butagira warns, “The half-slip hem peeking out from under your dress hem (however pretty the lace) is unsightly, while an oversize half-slip will show through and relegate a beautiful outfit to clumsy.”

 

Regarding colour, she advises that a black half slip is always safest, while a nude skin tone may work too. A half-slip in any other colour is only advisable if it is going to visually enhance the print in an outfit.

 

She advises, “If you are wearing a white, yellow or cream garment, black or navy blue are the best options. White can work with white if the knickers are a darker and more discreet colour.”

 

Regarding the basic care of half-slips, the fashion expert advises that it is best for one to dry them in the sun and use a warm to cool iron to get rid of wrinkles.

 

On when to replace them with new ones, Kamugasa explains, “Disposing them off depends on how regularly they are worn, but within a year or two, the elastic is gone and the lace frayed. So buy a new half-slip every six months to a year.”

Butagira says one should consider disposing half slips when bubbled fabric starts manifesting.

 

Kamugasa notes that although half-slips are still in vogue, they have evolved quite a bit in line with the fashion needs of today’s woman. “Given the attention given to body image nowadays, the most popular half-slips are those that have spanx and can make cellulite and unseemly bulges smoother. Moreover, because women are tending towards figure hugging clothing, the undergarments have had to follow the contour of the body.”

 

Keturah says shape-wear has played a big role in replacing half-slips. “When a woman wears spanx shorts underneath her garment or body magic, she does not feel the need to add a half-slip because she feels sorted out.”

 

She adds that shape wear, is available in most lingerie shops and goes for sh100, 000 to sh550,000 depending on the style and quality. 

 

However, women often go wrong with these replacements by wearing the wrong size; either too small or too large. “Shape wear is uncomfortable as it is so it is always better to try it on before buying to get the correct size.”

 

She also notes that there is no one type of shape wear to match every item of clothing. A woman must be very aware of this.