Essential Bridal Slips
By Margaret Shrum
Under every wedding gown, there is a slip that will enhance a bride’s shape and also create the most flattering silhouette for her gown. Wedding gowns need a proper bridal slip to create fullness and for the gown to hang properly on the body. It’s a big mistake to not purchase a slip to wear under your gown; this detail makes a huge difference in the way the gown falls. Depending on the silhouette of the gown, there will be a special slip that will compliment it. Here are the most common gown silhouettes: Trumpet, A-line, Ball Gown and Tea Length.
For a trumpet or mermaid style bridal gown, a fit & flare style slip is the solution. The slip is fitted at the waist usually with a power net lining underneath to give a smooth tight shape that is fitted down through the hips to the knee, where layers of extra tiered fabric, tulle or nylon flare out to create a fullness under the bottom third of the gown.
A-line dresses will work well with a tiered slip with the complimenting A-line shape. It usually has a medium fullness and the layers of fabric on the slip bring the natural hemline of the gown up so that it lies perfectly.
A full slip enhances a ball gown style wedding gown. It flares out much fuller than the A-line slip and it really creates the belle of the ball illusion.
Tea length bridal slips work well for shorter style wedding gowns, which sometimes have crinolines underneath to create fullness. Adding this slip can give a dress a more romantic, charming and vintage feel.
