Collecting Vintage Half Slips: Famous Lingerie Brands of the Past

I've been collecting vintage lingerie for over a decade, and one of my favorite things to collect are beautiful half slips from the golden era. Vintage half slips are collectible with lingerie enthusiasts not only for the exquisite attention that was paid to the details, but mainly because many modern lingerie companies either no longer make them, or make ones that are flimsy and plain. Back in the day however, half slips were almost as beautiful (if not more so) that the skirts and dresses that they were meant to be worn under.

Many lingerie brands from the golden era were renowned for their fine quality, and the half slips that these companies made are now highly sought after collectors' items. Here is a list of three defunct lingerie brands who were known for making the prettiest, and now most collectible half slips.

Saramae

Saramae lingerie was a very elegant lingerie brand that was sold in high end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue back in the 1940s through the 1960s. Saramae lingerie was famous for the quality craftsmanship and careful attention to details, and their line of half slips were simply gorgeous. Highly sought after by collectors now, Saramae's half slips were layered in delicate lace, often with fancy embroidery and designs. Since these slips were so well made, and such elaborate detail went into their design, they can actually be worn as skirts in today's fashion world. Saramae brand half slips can be found for sale on ebay at varying prices (usually $30.00 and up), but be sure to check your local thrift stores as often times these slips simply get tossed out with everything else, due to the fact that most people who are trying to get rid of them often do do realize their value and simply view them as old clothing items to be discarded.

Van Raalte

Van Raalte was another elegant brand that was sold in the nicer department stores during Golden Era. One of my personal favorite brands, Van Raalte's half slips were often trimmed with flouncy 'accordion pleats' or scalloped lace edges, which are incredibly beautiful and usually cannot be found in today's lingerie market. I love Van Raalte's half slips also because the lace often was a different color than the satin of the slip (aqua blue trimmed with pink lace, green trimmed with beige lace, etc.) and some of their slips were cut in unusual cuts such as a 'tulip cut'. These slips can be found for sale on ebay at varying prices, but again, be sure to check out local thrift stores or second hand stores for these slips, as sometimes they will be mixed in with the ladies skirts or even the little girls' clothing items.

Movie Star

Another personal favorite, Movie Star made beautiful, affordable nylon slips, trimmed with pretty accordion pleat edges and lacy embellishments. These slips were sold at drug stores back in the day and came in plastic packages. Although this brand wasn't as high end as Saramae or Van Raalte, these half slips are still very collectible, and although they were a more inexpensive brand, the quality and beautiful detailing on these are far superior than anything that is mass produced today.

Further Reading:

http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/tag/lace/