The Perfect Nightgown

Choosing the Right Nightgown

At first glance, a nightgown seems an unimportant article of clothing. After all, it is just something to wear to bed. Being such an intimate part of the day, there is no dress code for sleep. Some people wear plain white T-shirts, while others prefer to sleep in the nude. Pajamas, underwear, sweatpants, and lingerie further illustrate the ever-widening gamut of intimate apparel available to the masses.

However, as ubiquitous as it may seem, what one chooses to wear to sleep can greatly affect their lives in unexpected ways. For example, a silky, feminine nightgown may prove a path to increasing marital bliss. An uncomfortably stiff sleeping ensemble may cause the wearer to toss and turn all night long, leading to a poor mood throughout the following day.

One’s choice of sleep attire also creates memorable impressions in the hearts of loved ones. Ask an elderly man who has been married for ages about nightgowns, and odds are he has a clear memory of his wife’s favorite. Children fondly remember the smell and feel of their mother’s gowns, especially those she wore when comforting them following a bad dream or slowly rocking them to sleep during an illness. Choosing the right nightgown can be about so much more than just finding something to sleep in.

Specialty shops, department stores, and websites like eBay or Etsy offer a ton of options for finding the perfect gown, for the perfect occasion.

Just as different stages in life call for different daytime attire, the same applies to nightgowns. The type of gown that a woman selects during pregnancy or nursing will probably be quite a bit different than the one she chooses for her wedding night.

Pregnancy

Designers have embraced the modern trend of flaunting a beautiful baby bump by developing thousands of designs maternity - style nightgowns meant to showcase and flatter the expanding waistline. Even non-maternity babydoll nightgowns generally offer enough flow to luxuriously sheath mom’s growing tummy well into the third trimester. Look for ultimate feminine styles that are gauzy and flowing. Make sure there is also plenty of room to accommodate an ever-expanding bust.

Nursing

New mothers often spend a lot of time in their nightgown, lounging around the house or care center, as they overcome the trials and tribulations of bringing a new life into the world. Those who choose to breastfeed can still look beautiful, as nursing gowns are convenient, functional, and widely available. The standard nursing-style gown features well-hidden slits that can be used to comfortably latch baby on without exposing too much. They are available in a wide variety of colors and styles, and are made to fit many budgets. Women who do not want to invest in a special nursing gown for breastfeeding should stick with designs that button at the top or low-cut V-neck gowns that can be easily folded over for easy access. Even non-breastfeeding babies benefit from skin-to-skin contact with their mother; these gowns also tend to be very loose and comfortable during the healing period, so pregnant women should not worry about making a bad investment should they choose not to nurse.

Bridal

Bridal nightgowns, traditionally lacy white cotton, offer femininity and timeless charm. Women of all shapes and sizes look nice in an elegant white bridal nightgown. Often nightgowns are a bit more conservative than lingerie, but offer just enough of a peek to entice the imagination.

Luxurious Nightgown Fabric

Shoppers can find modern nightgowns in nearly every fabric imaginable, from functional flannel to delicate silk. Selecting the right fabric can mean the difference between getting a good night’s sleep or writhing in agony. Certain fabrics like silk, lace, cotton, and satin are traditional textiles for nightgown designs. They are also considered to be sensuous, luxurious fabrics, perfect for special nights or any time a person just wants to feel beautiful.

Silk

Silk looks beautiful and is coveted as one of the most delicate and expensive materials on Earth. Harvested from silkworms and other insects, this fabric’s development is a tedious process. Though silk is beautiful, soft, and very attractive, it has a tendency to fade in the sunlight and pick up a yellow hue over time. It also stains easily and may be difficult to clean.

Cotton

Cotton is an attractive, reasonably priced option for nightgown material. It is cool in the summer and does not stick to the flesh in the same way that silk or nylon tends to do. Cotton is also a hardy fabric; it can be washed and dried repeatedly under very hot temperatures, and can even withstand the occasional bleaching. The biggest downside to cotton is that it has a tendency to shrink in the dryer, though preshrunk versions do exist.

Lace

Lace is an open-weave style of fabric that has been popular for hundreds of years, though true lace was not developed until the 15th or 16th century. Lace is timeless, beautiful, and may be either simple or ornate. Modern lace can be made in a number of different ways. Generally lace is both comfortable, attractive, and airy, but it has a tendency to snag, making laundering and everyday wear difficult.

Satin

Silky satin sheets and gowns have been popular for quite some time. Satin is cool to touch and feels nice against bare skin, making it an obvious choice for sleeping apparel and linens. Sometimes high-grade satin is formed from silk threads. However, to derail high prices, most modern satin is formed from silk, nylon, or polyester blends.

Vintage

Vintage nightgowns are quite popular because of the classic styles, fabric and comfort. You can find many vintage nightgowns on eBay or Etsy.

Finding the Right Nightgown for Your Body Type

To find a flattering style of gown, it is important to take an honest look at one’s body type. No matter a person’s size or shape, there should be a style of gown that will look good on them. The key is selecting a style of dress that is flattering and accents the positive, while detracting from the negative.

Curvy

The right style of clothing can create magic for a curvaceous body. Low-swooping V-necks draw the eyes away from a less-than-perfect waist, bringing attention to the chest. Gowns that come in at the waist but billow out around the hips, like popular babydoll styles, are a good fit for the curvy woman.

Thin

Thin women can make themselves appear a bit plumper by choosing gowns that offer ruffles in areas they wish to expand, like their rear or chest. Super-tight, slinky gowns also look nice on shapely thin women, as they accentuate their finer features and draw out a long, slender silhouette.




See Ya Tomorrow! xo