Nov 15, 2020

National Nighty Night

November is National Sleep Comfort Month which makes this the perfect time to honor the nightgown. We proclaim this evening, November 15, to be "National Nighty Night"!

Tonight, we celebrate the history of the nightgown and the comfort, pleasure and elegance it has provided for women and men alike for hundreds of years.

The nightgown started with humble beginnings many centuries ago as a simple loose-fitting, white linen dress made for both men and women to sleep in. In the 18th century, the negligee was introduced in France. Worn in the evening, it was a lighter version of the typical style of dress worn during the day, and started the shift towards nightgowns as women's clothing.

The nightgown as we know it today began as a staple in women's wardrobes during the early 19th century when women's "nightdresses" became more stylish than the simple white gown that had been the traditional sleepwear. Details like collars, cuffs and contoured yokes started to appear. Later in the 1800's, nightgowns become more elaborate. Although they still had the traditional loose fit, they were now more creatively embellished with ribbons, ruffles, lace, pin tucks and embroidery.

Nightgowns 1821–1863, Europe, USA

The trend for fancier frocks continued into the 1900's. H. Kristina Haugland summarizes in her article about the origins of the nightgown, "During the 20th century, glamorous and luxurious lingerie grew more accessible and affordable. By the 1920's, styles of straight-cut silk and rayon nightgowns in delicate colors were popular, while the mid-century favored gowns with strappy bosom-hugging bodices above sinuous skirts. The advent of nylon allowed women to have–as the slogan for Chemstrand of the mid 1950s said–"all the luxury but none of the fuss," (Harper's Bazar ad, 1956) with easy-care yet washable nightgowns and peignoirs that elegantly enhanced their femininity."

1956 Sears Catalogue

I Love My Nighty isn’t the first to herald the high esteem of the almighty nighty. In April 1900, The Puritan “Journal for Gentlewomen” gushed about gowns under the guise of the French “negligee”:

“Philosophers say that when a man is intoxicated, his real nature may be discovered. A “negligee” is to a woman what inebriety is to a man. In fashioning that there is no law of cut or color to follow, one may riot in red indoors. Every woman may be herself–and that is why the negligee is the same involuntary confession of her real nature.

The woman who provides herself with enough comfortable lounging gowns is a wise one.

The one who has a warm flannel wrapper in which to infold herself when she comes in tired and in need of a few minutes’ sleep

…who has a soft silk affair in which to lean back luxuriously in a steamer chair in her own room while she reads or has a late breakfast

…who has pretty little matinées in which to make a comfortable, ungirt, and yet respectable appearance at the family luncheon table in an emergency–this woman is wise in her day and generation.

She is pleasing not only to her household, but she is a pleasure to herself as well; for the woman who does not take a youthful delight in such possessions is no true woman. The little luxuries of life do as much to keep the spirits of women fresh and young as anything except love and religion

…and she is fortunate who realizes this in time." (The Puritan Vol 8, April-Sept, 1900)

Lounging Lovelier, The Puritan,1900

Throughout the 20th century, nightgowns were a hallmark of feminine expression and came in all manner of materials and modesty. However, at some point, estimated to be during the 1990s, the nightgown lost its favor and women turned to a more casual and unisex style of pajamas for comfort. Certainly the 1980's started the trend which eventually led to the frump slump that is still in effect.

1982 JC Penney Catalogue

It wasn't until 2019 when I Love My Nighty released our first collection of the "comfort reimagined" styles we are known for, that women can finally stand up and "take back the nighty", so this classic staple can reign supreme once again!

Celebrate the Nightgown with us. Shop ilovemynighty.com and "Make Tonight A Nighty Night!"