Slips

[Stu]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I have always regarded slips as expressing femininity and that is something I am keen to avoid. Slips tend to be silky and often have a lacy hem - both of which add to the feminine aspect and most males run a mile from that. A childrenswear retailer recently renamed "girls' waist slips" as "kids' half skirts" and I am not sure if that was a feint nod to the fact that they could be considered gender neutral in the same way as school skirts are. I haven't generally seen the need for skirt-wearing men (or boys) to wear these, but I have seen that they can be good for cutting cling and making a skirt sit better so they are a good piece of foundation wear. But I admit I do struggle to see them as anything other than feminine.

[FLbreezy]

I have some plain cotton ones that do not seem stereotypically feminine. I also wear some of the regular kind that do not have any lace etc that are a good foundation under some types of skirts.

It's probably worth noting as well that most women seem to have moved on from slips in favor of slip shorts.

[Mouse]

After the last round of posts regarding slips, I went shopping in M&S for half slips. I bought the cheapest set of two, one black, one white. Being the base model, there is no lace or bows, just a plain hem. I have used these under the denim work skirts from Roman and I find the denim slides over my tights easier. This also depends on the texture of the tights, but works with the cheapest 15d tights from Tesco’s

I have given up worrying about being fem or gay or any other label you want to throw at me. If something works for me, then I use it. From a skirt sewing point of view, a slip saves you from having to make a lining to a skirt.

[mr seamstress]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I have always regarded slips as expressing femininity and that is something I am keen to avoid. Slips tend to be silky and often have a lacy hem - both of which add to the feminine aspect and most males run a mile from that. A childrenswear retailer recently renamed "girls' waist slips" as "kids' half skirts" and I am not sure if that was a feint nod to the fact that they could be considered gender neutral in the same way as school skirts are.

There is this second option you can wear as a undergarment that is called chemise, even though they are being sold today as night clothes. This has been worn by men with their dresses before slips. You can find these chemise just plain without lace and no extra on top for breast. Walmart sells these under $15.

[Barleymower]

How useful is it to anyone to decide what is masculine or feminine? Take a lesson from the ladies. They take any item of clothing and make it their own. Dr marten boots with a tiered skirt becomes feminine.
It isn't the clothes that determines wether you are masculine or feminine, it's you. So wear whatever bow or frill you want and own it.

[robehickman]

There is this second option you can wear as a undergarment that is called chemise, even though they are being sold today as night clothes. This has been worn by men with their dresses before slips. You can find these chemise just plain without lace and no extra on top for breast. Walmart sells these under $15.

Chemise dresses are also called 'shifts', and those terms were pretty interchangeable historically as far as I'm aware, it may be a regional thing. Today 'shift dress' is also a type of outer-dress inspired by those garments.

[Faldaguy]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I have always regarded slips as expressing femininity and that is something I am keen to avoid. Slips tend to be silky and often have a lacy hem - both of which add to the feminine aspect and most males run a mile from that. A childrenswear retailer recently renamed "girls' waist slips" as "kids' half skirts" and I am not sure if that was a feint nod to the fact that they could be considered gender neutral in the same way as school skirts are. I haven't generally seen the need for skirt-wearing men (or boys) to wear these, but I have seen that they can be good for cutting cling and making a skirt sit better so they are a good piece of foundation wear. But I admit I do struggle to see them as anything other than feminine.

Why fret? Rarely does your slip show -- and that can be easily covered by having a few of different lengths and colors. They are, as you said, practical for cling and sitting; as well as easier to wash/wear while extending the life of your skirts. In so far as the 'label' goes -- if it is a skirt, it is feminine. Even devoted 'kilters' and commentators upon men wearing them, fundamentally know they are skirts and that is a large part of their popularity and the classic indiscretion of what's worn underneath. People need to get off any prescribed definition of masculine/feminine if we are going to achieve our human potential.

[Maybe, you can 'secretly' appreciate the "feminine" aspects, and thus become more comfortable with expanding your choices in skirts?]

[Jim]

Underwear helps keep my skirts clean. It's uncomfortable for me to have my crotch tightly enclosed. Therefore, slips. I've also made unbifurcated underwear by removing the crotch area of boxer shorts. That's the masculine way, if it matters to you.