Nightgowns are women’s sleepwear that can range from simple to complex gowns, with various fabrics and lengths. Men also wear nightgowns, but they tend to be long and straight. Nightgowns were traditionally made of linen or cotton, but polyester has become popular. Today, there are many styles available, and women should consider their preferences and comfort when choosing a nightgown. Lingerie stores offer romance-specific dresses, and cotton robes tend to be cooler to wear. It is recommended to choose a size up for comfort.
A nightgown is often synonymous with a nightgown and both terms refer to women’s sleepwear that takes the form of simple to complex gowns. Other terms that have been used in place of nightgown include robe and dressing gown, although these terms often refer to fancier nightgowns that can be worn for seductive purposes instead of sleeping. Contrasted with nightgown is the term nightgown, which is often a long, straight dress worn by men, although many women like to wear nightgowns as well.
There is significant variety in what can be considered a nightgown. Anything from thick, floor-length flannel dresses to skimpy silk or polyester dresses could qualify. The unifying factor tends to be that these are most often used in bed, which hasn’t always been common practice. It wasn’t until after the Middle Ages that any type of nightwear became popular, and some people still prefer to sleep naked. For women, a nightgown has the advantage of adding a little more modesty if you need to get up in the middle of the night, and can also provide some warmth while you sleep.
For a long time, many styles of nightgowns were made of linen or cotton. Few women could afford silk. Flannel was popular especially in the winter months, but linen or lighter cotton could be used in warmer seasons. Such dresses emphasized modesty and could have long sleeves and be at least ankle-length.
With the advent of fabrics like polyester, nightgown styles diverged. While cotton flannel gowns were still easy to find, polyester smocks became especially popular, and were more dress-like in cut, often sleeveless and with an empire waist. Fabrics like polyester could be warm, and some manufacturers turned to cotton, especially making cotton fabrics. Knee-length dresses with sleeveless sleeves became popular, or some manufacturers designed even shorter dresses, worn with shorts or panties.
Today, nightgown style is still varied and women can find anything from cotton flannel classics to polyester peignoirs. The length of the dresses varies with each manufacturer, with knee length or slightly above the knee being the most popular styles. Some manufacturers specialize in what could be considered classic nightgowns. For example, Eileen West has made high-quality cotton or muslin gowns for many years that are beautifully embellished and highly priced.
Given the myriad of nightgown styles, women may need to do some shopping and consider a few things. Lingerie stores are often the best places to look for romance-specific dresses. Cotton robes in knits or turf-like materials tend to be cooler to wear, and choosing dresses with short sleeves or tank tops can add to the coolness. Some dresses come in sets with a robe that can be worn comfortably in the morning or at night to reduce the chill. In general, for comfort, women may want to choose a size up, as trying to wear a fitted nightgown to bed can be uncomfortable.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
