Category: Pettipants

Pettipants are a type of women’s underwear that combine the idea of a petticoat and pants, hence the name. Think of them as lightweight shorts designed to wear under skirts or dresses.

They often come in soft cotton, silk, or lace, and may feature delicate ruffles at the hems for a feminine touch. Originally, they were intended to replace the traditional slip, providing the same modesty and coverage, but with the added comfort of shorts.

Lace pettipants are soft, short under-shorts made with lace details. They’re worn under skirts or dresses to add comfort, prevent rubbing between the thighs, and help you move freely without worrying about the skirt blowing in the wind.
They work like a secret layer under your skirt, but you feel the difference all day long.

The word “pettipants” is a mash-up of “petticoat” and “pants.” It first popped up around 1960-1965, right when skirts started climbing way above the knee.

Before that, women wore bulky petticoats or slips under full 1950s skirts. But when Mary Quant and the mod crowd launched the miniskirt in London (and it exploded worldwide by 1965-66), those old layers became useless, too heavy, too twisty, and way too long.

Enter pettipants: lightweight nylon or polyester shorts with pretty lace ruffles on the legs. They acted like a half-slip with built-in coverage. No more flashing when you sat down, danced, or a gust of wind hit.

Pettipants are like a mix between panties and a short petticoat. The name comes from “petticoat” + “pants.” They look like cute lace-trimmed shorts, usually made from soft cotton, nylon, or lace. They come in different lengths (from mid-thigh to knee) and often have pretty ruffles on the legs.

Think of them as slip shorts that add coverage without squeezing you like shapewear. They give you coverage under skirts or dresses, but they’re way comfier than a regular slip because they don’t ride up or twist around.

Square dancing exploded in the U.S. after World War II. By the 1950s and 60s, clubs were everywhere. Women wore big, full skirts that twirl like crazy.

Problem: every spin meant a flash risk. Regular slips didn’t work: they twisted or flew up too. The fix? Pettipants: lightweight, lace-trimmed shorts that stayed in place and gave full coverage.

Brands sold special “square dance pettipants” in white, pastels, and tons of ruffles. Dancers still swear by them today.

Go to any square dance convention in 2025 and 99% of the women are wearing them. It’s basically the uniform under the skirt.

Pettipants are lightweight lace-trimmed shorts (like a petticoat with legs).

They slide on like panties, cover from waist to mid-thigh or knee, and create a smooth fabric barrier between your thighs.