1940s WW2 Parachute Silk Full Slip XS
This one-of-a-kind 1940s vintage full slip is handmade from authentic WWII parachute silk, a rare and remarkable piece from the wartime era. True to the "mend and make-do" philosophy, the slip features ribbon straps, reflecting the resourcefulness of the time. The front of the skirting is adorned with a double-layer modesty/shadow panel for added coverage, while the lace trim is a soft peachy blush color, complementing the creamy white slip. This unique nightgown captures the ingenuity and resilience of the period, making it a valuable piece of history.
The trend to make trousseau lingerie from parachute silk started well before World War 2 ended. As early as 1943, newspaper articles were running stories about dedicated and fierce young women who were not letting anything go to waste, including the parachutes their husbands jumped from planes in! The act became not only a symbol of resourcefulness and industriousness but also an act to honor the service of these men.
The soldier's parachute was a powerful symbol. One man even proposed to his future bride using his parachute instead of an engagement ring, and she said, “Yes.”
Many parachutes were pure silk in delicate cream, making excellent material for dresses, as did the thinner nylon material (also referred to as "parachute silk"). Parachutes were brought back by servicemen as souvenirs but many were deemed unfit for use after their soldiers had used them to land in seawater or if they had been otherwise damaged. Some chutes were brought in to dressmakers/tailors to be made and embroidered before being sent back home as a gift for their wives or bride-to-be. Such is the case with this garment.
Today, some garments made from parachute silk are exhibited at museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Don F. Pratt Museum in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and the Imperial War Museum in London.
A few remain as cherished pieces of family collections that don’t often come up for auction, making them a rarity on the vintage clothing market.
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