I recently suggested that a slip was an easy way to keep a light weight skirt from sticking to tights; Darla asked, “where do you find slips anymore? I don’t think major department stores carry them anymore… or am I just not noticing them?”

Good question.

Clockwise from top left: Vanity Fair half slip, $17.00, Vasarette Body Curves slip, $16.99, Vanity Fair Body Fresh full slip, $30.00, Farr West 21 inch full slip, $58

A slip serves a couple of functions: It will keep your unlined skirt from clinging to your tights, for one, and it will act as a lining for lightweight pieces. Do you ever see those articles about how to make a summery dress or skirt work with your fall wardrobe and wonder how on earth they’re wearing that light cotton dress with sturdy tights and boots? The trick is the slip.

A slip will also help keep your skirt in place; rather than grabbing onto your tights and hiking up, your skirt will lay where it’s supposed to. And if you’re someone who favors a shorter skirt, this is especially important; we’re all trying not to pull a Paris Hilton when we get out of the car.

What kind of slip do you need? The most basic is a half slip; I would suggest an 18 inch length, as this is the most versatile (it will work with shorter and longer skirts).

A second option is a full slip, either a shapewear slip (one that will smooth out the bumps) or a more traditional silky slip, designed to keep clothes from clinging. A full slip is perfect under a sweater dress or lightweight unlined dress.

No matter what kind of slip you choose, be certain that it fits properly; a full slip needs to fit through the bust, and needs to fit over your bra without straining or pulling (the slip itself won’t offer any support, of course). It should skim your hips, rather than being tight, but should also not bunch up under your dress. If you’re really thinking about a full slip, I would suggest one that also works as shapewear, not because you necessarily need to be shaped, but because a shapewear slip will be more structured and more likely to fit well and give you a sleek, clean line.

A half slip should fit well through the waist, so that it’s not turning around during the day; it should have a notched slit that you can turn to line up with any slits in your dress or skirt. Lacy trim is fine, if you like that, but be sure it’s not showing (unless you really mean for it to show, in which case the slip needs to fit well enough that the lace peeks out evenly).

Where do you find a great slip? Department stores still carry slips, although they’re often buried in a corner and sizes can be limited. Online retailers like Bare Necessities will have more size and style options, at a variety of price points. But my favorite place for simple, basic slips is Target; they have a nice selection of very basic Vasarette full and half slips, in a good range of sizes, for under $20. If you’re looking for ways to make your existing closet go further, a simple, inexpensive slip may do the trick.