Did you hear? We’re turning 110 this year! That’s well over a century of lingerie design history so, whether you’re into retro fashion or just want to reminisce, let’s take a walk back through some of our mid-century (and older) archives. The best bit? We’re still producing many of these designs today, because the classics never go out of style!

The cotton slip that launched a brand

Founded in 1914 by husband-and-wife duo William and Rose Rifkin, our very first products were aprons, each one carefully stitched together on Rose’s foot-treadle machine. But it wasn’t long until we switched to slips, beginning with the couple’s Velrose® Cotton Dress Slip design. It’s a piece that has truly stood the test of time since you can still buy it from us to this day, making it one of the oldest full lingerie slip designs around. How’s that for timeless?

Buy here: Velrose® Cotton Dress Slip

Classic, cozy cottons

Initially, all Velrose® slips – and later the camisoles and culottes that began to be introduced – were cotton. For one thing, nylon hadn’t even been invented yet. Love this naturally-breathable fiber? Here are a couple more of our original cotton creations that we’re still producing to the same specifications as we did back then:

Buy here: Velrose® Cotton Skirt Slip

Buy here: Velrose® Adjustable Cotton Knit Culottes

The nylon revolution

Shortly before World War II, DuPont invented a fiber that would go on to radically transform the lingerie landscape: nylon. Although it would soon after prove to be very useful for making military parachutes, when woven into a finer fabric, it was the perfect choice for undergarments – lightweight, easy to launder, and silky-smooth on the skin.

The Velrose® designers combined this ‘new nylon tricot’ with everything they already knew about making great-fitting lingerie, and it wasn’t long before their nylon slips and panties were being sold in Lane Bryant as well as both major department stores and independent boutiques all over the country.

And yes, you guessed it, you can still treat yourself to some of the exact same designs that women would have been wearing in this post-war era!

Buy here: Velrose® Nylon Skirt Slip

Buy here: Velrose® Nylon Lace Half Slip

Buy here: Velrose® Adjustable Length Nylon Slip Shorts

The ones that got away

Of course, you don’t reach 110 years as a clothing label without saying goodbye to many designs too. Here’s a quick look at just some of the fabulous and highly-varied Velrose® designs that we’re not making any more, but still adore – plus two more that are soon to also depart our collection.

Hurry! If you love the following styles, and we’ve still got your size, get them now to own these pieces of Velrose® lingerie history before they’re gone forever:

Sold Out: Velrose® Adjustable Strap Cotton Full Slip

Last chance! Buy here: Velrose® Cotton Knit Lace Camisole

Here’s to another 110 years to come!

Not many businesses get to say that they’ve reached 110, even fewer that are still family-owned after all that time. And it’s all thanks to you – our wonderful customers who keep coming back to us for their lingerie and sleepwear needs. As long as you keep loving our nylon and cotton creations, we’ll keep on making them for you.

Want to read more about the origins of our lingerie? Head over to this article for a deeper dive into the history of Velrose® as it was passed down from generation to generation of the Rifkin family. Or learn about the history of our other two brands as well: Shadowline® and Dixie Belle®.