Nightgowns and Nighties

As Dickens somewhere recounts with infinite zest, we have all had the mortifying experience in a dream of making a public appearance clad with woeful inadequacy in our nightdress. This is a situation interesting to consider in relation to the period in which the dreamer is caught out in her nightdress. For instance, in The Lady's Pictorial of August 30, 1922, there appears an illustration of a garment described as "a nightie carried out in the finest linen lawn trimmed with embroidery and lace." Entirely sleeveless, with a rather ample "V" neck, enfolding the body with an effect decidedly negligee-like in appearance. This nightie (or nightgown) is not calculated to make love appear ridiculous nor is it intended to make a fool of the wearer.



Quite the opposite in fact, dressed like that today, going through Grand Central Station in London, most women would draw attention as fashion icons rather than embarrassingly caught in public in their nightwear.

Nightgowns, traditionally have been works of art. Around 1926 nightgowns reached from shoulder to ankle. By then it had become the thing to use only silken threads as fine as gossamer for the upper part. The scantier the garment was over the shoulders the more beautiful it was considered. Even white muslin nightgowns, mill shipped in small lots to those sections of the country where steampower had not yet penetrated, had parted from one-time elaborate collars.

Nightgowns today are fashion items. Incredibly delicate, ranging from the painfully simple to the overtly elaborate, trimmed with lace, comprised of thin struts and delicate ties and bows they are designed to recreate a past that was arts-inspired, beautiful, daring and yet also iconoclastic and revolutionary.

Nightgowns, as we see them now are manufactured to resemble evening dresses; to copy the most flattering aspects of classic styles. They are fashioned to make the figure appear at its best. Since they have become formally decorative they are longer than before. Cut on bias lines, molded to the body. Many could almost be worn as evening gowns – not entirely out of place in something like the UK hit TV show ‘Come Dancing’.

Dickens may have correctly identified our fear of being caught outside in our nightwear, exposing a part of our innermost self, but with the nightgowns of today such a fear is mitigated by the fact that save for some slight consciousness of the thinness of the material, a lady need not be disturbed by dreaming that she appeared in any of today’s exceedingly graceful, sweeping creations in the dining room of the Savoy at High Tea time.

© Designer Lingerie.org.uk 2008

Pink Tatty Teddy night dress
Pink Tatty Teddy night dress
From Debenhams
, bear, cute, debenhams, frill, front, girl's, girls, hem, kids, little, love, nightdress, nightie, nightwear, pink, print, tatty, teddy, topped
...
£10.00


Peach flower print nightdress
Peach flower print nightdress
From Debenhams
, &, bright, comfort, contrast, cut, debenhams, eyecatching, fabric, gifts, jersey, lace, ladies, neckline, nightie, nighttime, nightwear, peach, pink, presence, soft, stretchy, supreme, topped, toys, treats, trim
...
£10.00


Crêpe Baby Doll Nightie and Thong Set
Crêpe Baby Doll Nightie and Thong Set
From La Redoute
, 1%, 13%, 75, 86%, adjustable, cm, cottonlined, cups, elastanekeep, elastic, fire, gusset, la, lace, lingerie, nightie, polyamide, polyester, redoute, sexy, straps, thong, triangle, tullelined
...
£10.20


OPI G01 PINK NIGHTIE
OPI G01 PINK NIGHTIE
From Garden Pharmacy
, care, g01, garden, nail, nightie, opi, pharmacy, pink
...
£10.50


REDOUTE CREATION Baby Doll Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Baby Doll Nightie
From La Redoute
, 10%, 90%, adjustable, band, bottom, cups, elastane, fabric, fire, hem, knee, knit, la, lace, lingerie, nightie, nighties, nightwear, polyamide, redoute, slits, soft, straps, stretch, triangular, trimmed
...
£10.50


REDOUTE CREATION Dotted Tulle Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Dotted Tulle Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 30°, 90, adjustable, anglaise, broderie, button, cm, cotton, decorated, dotted, fire, flared, gorgeously, hem, la, lightly, lingerie, neckline, nightie, nighties, nightwear, redoute, shape, straps, tulle, washable
...
£11.00


Long Satin Nightie
Long Satin Nightie
From La Redoute
, 17%, 2%, 81%, elastane, fire, la, lingerie, nighties, nightwear, polyamide, polyester, redoute
...
£11.40


Baby Doll Nightie and Thong Set
Baby Doll Nightie and Thong Set
From La Redoute
, 4%, 96%, adjustable, baby, bow, bra, centre, cleavage, contrasting, cottonlined, doll, elastane, elasticated, enhance, fire, front, gusset, la, lingerie, nightie, nighties, nightwear, opening, padded, polyester, redoute, satin, sensual, set, straps, tea
...
£11.90


Sequence Nightie
Sequence Nightie
From Grattan
, asymmetric, front, grattan, hem, lace, nightie, viscose, washable
...
£12.72


SOUS-ENTENDUS Baby Doll Nightie
SOUS-ENTENDUS Baby Doll Nightie
From La Redoute
, 1%, 28%, 71%, adjustable, baby, bra, bust, collection, comfortable, crochet, cups, delicate, doll, double, draped, draws, effect, elastane, embroidered, fabric, feminine, fine, fire, front, guipure, inspiration, la, lace, lingerie, lovely, nightie, nigh
...
£13.50


2pk cat nap nighties
2pk cat nap nighties
From Bhs
, bedtime, bhs, fro, kids, nightie, pack, pretty, set
...
£14.00


2pk rabbit nightie
2pk rabbit nightie
From Bhs
, 'hop', bed, bhs, cute, kids, nightie, pack, rabbit
...
£14.00


REDOUTE CREATION Frilled Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Frilled Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, anglaise, broderie, cotton, effect, fire, fresh, frill, gorgeous, hem, la, lingerie, narrow, neckline, nightie, nighties, nightwear, redoute, straight, straps, striped, trimmed, voile
...
£15.00


SOFT GREY Short Jersey Knit Baby Doll Nightie
SOFT GREY Short Jersey Knit Baby Doll Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 90, baby, buttoned, chest, cm, combining, comfort, cotton, doll, edging, fire, gathers, jersey, la, lingerie, modern, nightie, nighties, nightwear, placket, redoute, rolled, summer, yolk
...
£15.00


REDOUTE CREATION Flared Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Flared Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 90, bottom, bust, cm, cotton, embroidery, fire, hem, jersey, la, lingerie, little, narrow, nighties, nightwear, offset, patch, pocket, pouch, redoute, seaming, shoulders, soft, straps, summer, tie
...
£15.00


REDOUTE CREATION Maternity and Nursing Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Maternity and Nursing Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 5%, 90, 95%, bag, bust, clip, cm, cotton, drawstring, elastane, elastic, fabric, fastening, fire, gathers, jersey, la, lingerie, maternity, mumtobe, narrow, neckline, nightie, nursing, redoute, rounded, straight, straps, supporting, tie, viscose,
...
£15.00


REDOUTE CREATION Soft Drape Nightie in 4 Colours
REDOUTE CREATION Soft Drape Nightie in 4 Colours
From La Redoute
, 5%, 90, 95%, adjustable, beautifully, care, closefitting, cm, comfortable, cotton, draping, elastane, fashionable, figure, fire, knit, la, lace, lingerie, machine, my, neckline, nightie, nighties, nightwear, redoute, shows, soft, softly, straps, ultra,
...
£15.00


REDOUTE CREATION Printed Nightie with Narrow Straps
REDOUTE CREATION Printed Nightie with Narrow Straps
From La Redoute
, 100%, 90, bust, buttoned, cm, contrasting, cotton, drawstring, edging, embroidery, fire, hem, la, lingerie, nighties, nightwear, piped, placket, poplin, redoute, side, vents, vneck
...
£15.00


Sequence Nightie
Sequence Nightie
From Kaleidoscope
, asymmetric, front, hem, kaleidoscope, lace, nightie, viscose, washable
...
£15.66


Ivory satin spot chemise
Ivory satin spot chemise
From Debenhams
, &, adjustable, bridal, chiffon, debenhams, front, gifts, neckline, nightie, nightwear, pleated, presence, print, sections, shoulder, spot, straps, toys
...
£16.50


REDOUTE CREATION Satin Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Satin Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 93, accentuated, bust, cm, darts, embroidered, fire, hem, la, lace, lingerie, nightie, nighties, nightwear, polyester, pretty, redoute, satin, straps, vneckline, wear
...
£17.00


REDOUTE CREATION Satin Nightie, Length 90 cm
REDOUTE CREATION Satin Nightie, Length 90 cm
From La Redoute
, 30°, 90, accentuated, adjustable, cm, feminine, fine, hemline, la, lace, lingerie, machine, nighties, nightwear, pleats, redoute, satin, stitched, straps, trimmed, vneck, washable
...
£17.00


PEANUTS Shoestring Strap Nightie
PEANUTS Shoestring Strap Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 88, adjustable, cm, contrasting, cotton, fire, front, fun, jersey, la, lingerie, motif, nightie, nighties, nightwear, print, redoute, shoestring, straps, summer's
...
£17.00


REDOUTE CREATION Nightie and Wrapover Top Set
REDOUTE CREATION Nightie and Wrapover Top Set
From La Redoute
, 100%, 5%, 93, 95%, adjustable, bust, chilly, cm, cotton, embroidery, fastening, feels, fire, grey, jersey, la, lingerie, marl, narrow, nightie, nighties, nightwear, redoute, slip, straps, summer, teamed, tie, viscose, wear, wrapover
...
£17.00


REDOUTE CREATION Soft Drape Nightie in 3 Colours
REDOUTE CREATION Soft Drape Nightie in 3 Colours
From La Redoute
, 16%, 30°, 84%, 90, adds, adjustable, cm, cups, delicate, drape, draping, elastane, elegant, firefeminine, knit, la, lace, lingerie, lining, machine, nightie, nighties, nightwear, polyamide, redoute, sexy, shoestring, side, slits, soft, straps, stretc
...
£17.00


MR MEN LITTLE MISS Striped Nightie
MR MEN LITTLE MISS Striped Nightie
From La Redoute
, 35%, 65%, 88, cm, cotton, drawstring, fire, jersey, la, lingerie, nighties, nightwear, polyester, racer, redoute, waist
...
£17.00


HELLO KITTY Racer Back Jersey Nightie
HELLO KITTY Racer Back Jersey Nightie
From La Redoute
, 100%, 88, bow, chest, cm, contrasting, cotton, fire, hem, jersey, la, lingerie, little, motif, nighties, nightwear, printed, racer, redoute, satin, strap
...
£17.00


La Redoute en Plus Glamorous Printed Baby Doll Nightie
La Redoute en Plus Glamorous Printed Baby Doll Nightie
From La Redoute
, 24%, 76%, baby, bra, braided, bust, contrast, doll, double, elastane, fire, front, guipure, hem, knit, la, lingerie, neckline, nightie, nightwear, polyamide, print, redoute, seaming, slips, slits, spaghetti, straps, trim
...
£17.02


SOFT GREY Baby Doll Nightie
SOFT GREY Baby Doll Nightie
From La Redoute
, adjustable, bra, centre, chest, crochet, fire, la, lingerie, narrow, nightwear, redoute, slips, smocking, straps, yoke
...
£17.40


Green embroidered long nightdress
Green embroidered long nightdress
From Debenhams
, &, alluring, combines, comfort, cut, debenhams, decorated, ease, elegance, embroidery, feminine, floral, fresh, front, gifts, green, ladies, nightdress, nightie, nightwear, pastel, presence, pretty, toys
...
£18.50


Baby Doll Nightie and Thong Set
Baby Doll Nightie and Thong Set
From La Redoute
, 100%, black, cleavage, collection, enhance, fire, flirty, front, intense, la, lace, laced, lingerie, neck, nightie, nightwear, plum, polyamide, redoute, sides, stretch, thong, tie,
...
£19.00


Short Satin Nightie
Short Satin Nightie
From La Redoute
, 17%, 2%, 81%, elastane, fire, la, lingerie, polyamide, polyester, redoute, sexy
...
£19.00


REDOUTE CREATION Nightie and Wrapover Top Set
REDOUTE CREATION Nightie and Wrapover Top Set
From La Redoute
, 100%, 93, adjustable, bust, cm, cooler, cotton, fire, gathers, jersey, knit, la, lace, lingerie, longsleeved, nightie, nighties, nights, nightwear, pretty, print, redoute, set, shoestring, slip, straps, summer, trim, vneckline, wrapover
...
£19.00


REDOUTE CREATION Knitted Nightie
REDOUTE CREATION Knitted Nightie
From La Redoute
, 10%, 30°, 90, 90%, cm, cups, demure, dots, elastane, fabulously, fire, knit, la, lace, lingerie, mix, nightie, nighties, nightwear, polka, polyamide, provocative, redoute, retro, soft, stripes, triangle, trim, washable
...
£19.00


Printed Nightie
Printed Nightie
From Boden
, beauties, boden, bold, cotton, designs, fire, girls, meet, nighties, nightwear, pure, safety, sleeping, standards
...
£20.00


Tinkerbell Nightie and Eye Mask PJ Set
Tinkerbell Nightie and Eye Mask PJ Set
From Truffle Shuffle 80s Clothing Ltd
, 80s, blue, clothing, dreams, dust, ensure, eye, eyemask, fab, fairy, frill, hem, interrupted, ladies, land, mask, neck, nightie, padded, set, shuffle, sprinkling, strappy, strikes, supercute, sweetest, tie, tinkerbell, true, truffle, tshirts
...
£22.00


La Redoute en Plus Baby Doll Nightie
La Redoute en Plus Baby Doll Nightie
From La Redoute
, 18%, 82%, baby, doll, elastane, fire, la, lingerie, nightie, nighties, nightwear, polyamide, redoute
...
£23.98


Byron Dress
Byron Dress
From Hush Homewear
, byron, cotton, dress, fit, gathers, homewear, hush, interest, neck, nightie, panel, perfectly, pure, sewnon, stitching, summerwear, tonal, wardrobe, worn
...
£25.00


Twin Pack Nightie
Twin Pack Nightie
From Boden
, boden, fresh, girls, hope, nightwear, prints
...
£26.00


ELLOS Nightie
ELLOS Nightie
From La Redoute
, 17%, 40°, 83%, adjustable, bust, elastane, embroidered, fire, front, la, lingerie, narrow, nightie, plus, polyamide, redoute, seaming, shoulder, straps, wash, women
...
£29.00


Alice Nightie
Alice Nightie
From Hush Homewear
, 3button, bust, bustsleeves, closure, comfort, contrast, cotton, coverage, homewear, hush, neck, nightwear, placket , pointelle, ruche, sacrifice, seam, soft, style, trim, you’ll
...
£30.00


Wolf In Grandmas Clothes (Adult)
Wolf In Grandmas Clothes (Adult)
From Angels Fancy Dress
, 100%, adults, angels, arms, bad, big, bushy, cap, chest, clambered, costume, covers, cut, dress, ear, excluding, fabrics, fit, fur, garment, gingham, gown, grannies, hands, head, hood, laugh, left, lower, mask, mop, night, nightie, package, pair, part,
...
£40.00


SILK NIGHTIE
SILK NIGHTIE
From Hush Homewear
, adjustable, contrasting, design, four, hem, homewear, hush, lacetrim, nightie, nightwear, past, pure, seasons, shoulder, silk, straps, we
...
£50.00