Antique Nightgowns

Antique nightgowns make excellent loungewear and sleepwear. Learn six reasons to wear a unique piece of history to bed.

The man of the place gifted me with two antique French nightgowns for Christmas; both of them were embroidered with my initials. I appreciate this personal touch and imagine they were hand-embroidered by the original owners more than 100 years ago.

Perhaps you may be wondering, why on earth would I want to wear such old sleepwear?

Although I have several skirts and dresses in my closet, usually I wear comfy pants or leggings around the house. I’d rather not get those special occasion garments splattered with green smoothie in the morning or sprayed with toilet water when I’m rinsing out a soiled cloth diaper.

The same goes for shirts and blouses. This time of year, I typically opt for a cozy sweater; however, more often than not, I’m in a basic t-shirt. Thankfully, the woven wraps I use for babywearing help dress up these admittedly drab ensembles.

As much as I like wearing my husband’s t-shirts to bed, I wanted to start wearing more presentable sleepwear. I wanted something pretty to slip on after all the dishes were washed and teeth were brushed for the day. (Ideally, this would be after dry body brushing and a hot bath.)

But why not buy something new?

I realize that wearing a nightgown from the Victorian or Edwardian eras is not everyone’s cup of tea. For me, it’s a total tea party simply because of how wearing one makes me feel. Plus, wearing an antique nightgown makes the restful moments even more delightful. Maybe you would feel similarly.

Natural Materials

I like the feeling of an antique nightgown. These nighties, which have stood the test of time, were made from quality organic materials such as pure cotton, rustic hemp, and my favorite fabric, linen.

Romantic

There’s something whimsical and dreamy about sleepwear from yesteryear, whether it’s a simple chemise slip or a nightdress embellished with ribbons and lace. No matter the time period, antique sleepwear has a romantic quality, and it can make you feel chic.

Nostalgic

Antique nightgowns are timeless, yet they make me feel a bit nostalgic for times gone by. The saying “distance lends enchantment to the view” may be true, but I’d like to think that the old times were good times. Furthermore, antique nightwear also makes me feel grateful for the present and hopeful for the future.

Beautiful Details

I’m convinced that most women from olden times had elegant taste. From bows and ruffles to collars and buttons, I admire all the exquisite details. Personally, wearing an antique nightgown makes me feel beautiful, too.

Practical

I have found that antique nightgowns are incredibly practical and comfortable. I wear one with straps or cap sleeves during the summer, and I’ve been enjoying my long-sleeved one this winter. During this season of motherhood, I favor those with mother of pearl button closures, which are convenient when I nurse my little ones.

Historical

There’s something special about curling up with a historical novel — or even watching a historical drama — before bed while wearing a piece of history.

I love learning the history behind antiques whenever possible. I have an Edwardian nightgown that was on display in a small California museum for fifty years; it was donated by a family that lived locally and had been a part of the community since the Gold Rush.

No matter if you are interested in purchasing an antique nightgown for yourself, if you are at all interested in historical fashions, I highly encourage you to check out the gorgeous nightgowns on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website.

What’s your favorite sleepwear style? Let me know in the comments.