Nightcaps were once worn with loose nightgowns and padded slippers to keep warm in poorly heated homes. The caps protected hairstyles and trapped warm air. Although no longer necessary for warmth, some still wear them for hair protection or insulation.
Although the garment known as a nightcap may have fallen out of style, at one time it served several important functions for its wearer. A nightcap was generally worn along with a loose but substantial nightgown, padded slippers, and possibly pajama bottoms. If the wearer needs to get out of bed during the night, a long robe can also be wrapped and tied around the entire sleepwear ensemble. The nightcap itself can be a fitted short hat or a larger conical cap.
In the days before reliable central heating and cooling systems, most homes were heated by wood-burning fireplaces or coal-fired ovens. This form of radiant heat was notoriously inefficient and difficult to maintain throughout the night. Unless the bed chamber was equipped with its own fireplace and a servant to keep it burning at night, there was a chance that the fireplace would cease to provide heat at some point. This made nightwear and bed covers essential. Since much of a person’s body heat escapes through their head, an insulating layer could make a significant difference in the comfort level of its wearer.
Many night caps depicted in period literature and paintings were noticeably longer than standard caps and hats. While this may have given the nightcaps a somewhat comical appearance, there were legitimate reasons for their exaggerated length. A nightcap often took the place of an everyday wig, which itself could be quite a size. The nightcap protected the wearer’s natural hairstyle from becoming too messy in the morning. The extra air space in the nightcap also trapped warm air and kept it closer to the wearer’s head.
As rooms heated and cooled more regularly, the need for nightcaps as insulating sleepwear eventually diminished. However, some people continue to wear sleep hats for other reasons. Certain hair treatments and styles require the protection provided by some form of head covering at night. A good nightcap can also reduce the severity of “bedside,” a familiar condition in which a sleeper’s hair becomes completely unmanageable by morning. Others may choose to wear a sleep cap to get the same insulating benefits experienced by previous generations.
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