Garment & Textile · Women's Garment

Chemise / Shimmy

Loose undergarment — full-length sleeveless slip, originally of linen or fine cotton.

Origin

Europe → Global

Era

Medieval → Modern

Also known as

Shift, Smock, Kameez (linguistic cousin)

Images

CC-licensed · free to use

Video

Industrialist View

Now positioned as slip dress (1990s minimal revival). Poly-satin base or silk crêpe. Lace-trim at hem and bust. MOQ 300+ for private label.

Tailor & Garment-Worker View

Bias-cut for silk slip to fall without darts; 4-panel cut on grain for basic. Spaghetti straps 1/4" double-turn. Neckline bias-bound. French seams for sheer fabric.

Sourcing

Silk charmeuse ₹600–1200/m from Dharmavaram; poly-satin ₹140/m from Surat.

Construction & Use

Victorian chemise had long sleeves and gathered neck; modern shimmy is sleeveless short.

Dictionary Entry

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