Silk Chemise
If something is essentially useless in function but eye-wateringly beautiful in style, does it have a place on this earth? Of course it does, and when it comes to the silk chemise, I would like to see anyone try and persuade me differently.
It is true that, as a garment, the true functionality of the chemise has come and gone. However, like all true survivors it has managed to re-invent itself and revive interest, rather like Madonna who some may argue ceased producing good music a long time ago but is still in the public eye. The power of reinvention is extremely powerful, be it changing the use of one of the oldest items of clothing in existence or reviving a flagging music career.
Once upon a time the chemise was a protective garment essential for every day use, whereas now it has morphed into, at best, underwear and, most often, sleepwear. Where the chemise used to be something you used to protect beautiful clothes, now it is a beautiful item of clothing in itself.
There is no doubt that this achievement is in a large part due to the introduction of the silk chemise. Silk, like the chemise itself, is not a particularly useful fabric – it isn’t strong, it isn’t durable and it can be expensive. However, silk is seen as one of the most luxurious, indulgent materials in the world, with it’s stunningly soft texture and light sheen. So with the chemise now playing the role of provocative lingerie or sleepwear, manufacturing a chemise made from silk was to give the chemise a new element – the high-end, lavish garment that all women should treat themselves to at least once in their lifetime.
The silk chemise is designed to be worn close to the body as the bottom layer, which brings skin in to contact with one of the softest materials on earth. Women will probably find this one of two things; sexually exciting in it’s self-indulgence or supremely comforting and a perfect aid for a good night’s rest. The silk chemise is an excellent choice if you wish to give the man in your life a thrill without being obvious and still feeling your best – it is ideal if you find more exposed items of lingerie, such as low-cut bras and G-strings, a little too indecent.
The ideal silk chemise should be loose-fitting – but not baggy – strapless and fall to either just below the pubic bone or above the knees, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. As it is a very thin garment, it can give the impression of being on show while still being hidden – ideal if you’re not totally confident. The simplicity of the chemise and the way it moves with the body when a woman moves makes a very popular choice of lingerie for men to look at, especially as it rarely features clasps or zips that might be difficult to unzip in a hurry!
Yet whether it be for comfort or titillation, the silk chemise is a valued part of a lingerie collection that sells in it’s new usability role by the bucket load. Madonna might have reinvented herself for 20 years, but that’s nothing – the chemise has been around for over 500.