Bamboo under shorts for women and why they replace a slip
Short answer: A slip solves see through fabric. Under shorts solve chafing. The two problems are different, and that is why most people need under shorts rather than a slip.
Chafing is the common problem
On warm days your thighs touch, and it hurts after an hour. A pair of under shorts removes it completely, because fabric against fabric glides where skin against skin grips. This is especially true when you walk a lot, cycle or stand most of the day. See bamboo under shorts.
What a slip does
A slip sits between your body and the dress and makes thin or light fabric less see through. It also helps the dress fall freely so it does not cling or catch on tights. But it does not cover each thigh separately, so it does nothing for chafing when you walk.
The length must reach past
The leg must reach past where your thighs meet. If they are too short, they ride up and make no difference. That is the most common reason people give up on under shorts. Try them on and walk around for a few minutes before deciding, so you can see whether the legs stay in place.
The hem must not show
A wide, soft or laser cut hem does not show through a thin dress. Narrow elastic does. It digs into the thigh and creates a clear line that shows through light fabric, especially when the light comes from behind. Check that the hem lies flat against the skin without digging in.
The waistband
A high, wide waistband stays up and does not show over the stomach. A narrow waistband can roll down when you sit, and then you keep adjusting it all day. The waistband can sit close, but it should not press so hard that it leaves marks when you take the shorts off.
The colour
A skin tone close to your own shows least under light dresses. Black works under dark dresses. White shows more clearly through light fabric than many expect, because white reflects light. If you own both light and dark dresses, it makes sense to have a pair in each colour.
When you need both
If the dress is both thin and chafes, you need both. The under shorts take care of the thighs, and the slip takes care of the see through fabric. Together they make a light summer dress wearable all day. See bamboo slip and bamboo dresses.
The fabric
Bamboo viscose is soft and smooth and feels cool on warm days. A thin fabric with a little elastane sits close without squeezing and shows less than thicker shorts. It also feels pleasant on the inner thighs, where the skin is most sensitive and ordinary seams can irritate.
Washing and care
Wash under shorts at 30 to 40 degrees and skip fabric softener. Hang them to dry so the elastic lasts longer and the hems keep lying flat. If you wear them several days in a row in summer, it helps to have two or three pairs so a clean one is always ready.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between under shorts and a slip?
Under shorts stop chafing between the thighs. A slip makes a thin dress less see through and helps it fall freely over tights instead of catching.
How long should under shorts be?
They should reach past where your thighs touch. If they are shorter, they ride up as you walk, and then they make no difference at all.
Can under shorts replace knickers?
Yes, many models have a sewn in gusset and can be worn on their own. Check the description of the specific model before wearing them that way.
See our range of bamboo slip.
