Nightgowns: Demure to devastating
Perhaps it's rising temperatures that pique my interest in boudoir wear. I fear we are rearing (pun intended) a generation of young women who think sleepwear involves your school's name across your butt. We 50+'s cast our eyes on more womanly choices. I bo
ught this teal satin gown with black lace trim, made by Betty Georgijev, a local artisan, at a local craft show. Here are more gowns, from modest to bombshell, depending on your taste and desired effect.
No pajamas, which are cute–even occasionally sexy in an I'll-wear-the-tops-you-wear-the bottoms kind of way– but not my choice for sleepwear in which your charms are admired, if you know what I mean.
For viewing by all ages
There are times when you might be seen by others than the intended, as happened to my friend Merle, who was tiptoeing from the bedroom at her boyfriend's when she encountered his six year old son. She had packed a "for family eyes" nightie; this was not it.
For
G-rated visits, perhaps a Patricia Fieldwalker Swiss Cotton Nightshirt in this fresh aqua blue? Yes, it's pricey but you'll need fine fabric to look fetching in a nightshirt. Price, $280 from Nancy Meyer.
Garnet Hill's Organic Cotton ruched tank nightgown is a favourite of customers, fresh in the Modern Floral pattern, rather mumsy in the solids.Price, $58 from Garnet Hill.
Hanro's thigh-length Grace gown is covered enough to handle a glance from room service at breakfast.In white, black and a soft blush called "dream", $140 from Saks Fifth Avenue.
If you like discreet, beautiful nightwear, look for Laurence Tavernier boutiques, the website lists locations. I'd buy this discreet linen gown in a heartbeat.
When less is more
Let's
move up the food chain to more sultry territory, to styles that put the 'night' in nightgown. Natori's Sorbet long tank-style floral gown is splashed with hibiscus.It's poly, but I expect a good quality fabric from Natori. Price, $98 from Saks Fifth Avenue.
Flora Nikrooz' ivory gown with floral embroidery at the bust is one of those innocents that flirt, but does not cross the line (upcoming).
From Bare Necessities, $59.
Is it hot in here?
Ratch
eting up the va-voom, but elegantly, a gown from Christine Vancouver. They make delicious lingerie, quite hard to find; a US site, Charmelle28 has a selection.This Christine Bijoux nightgown in almond, pink or black/red silk charmeuse would make me feel like Rita Hayworth. $295 from Charmelle28.
I have a goddess girlfriend who enlisted me to help her buy a nightgown for a weekend on a flame's yacht (her life, not mine, girls). We headed like homing pigeons for the the black charmeuse. As she ran her finger over its slink, she said, "I'm going to have to train him up to this."
Perfect for dancing in the dark, but the back detail of this Liliana Casanova Etoile nightdress deserves to be seen, if only by candlelight. £310 from Luxury French Lingerie, a site any siren will love. Also available in white.Go up one level, see what happens. No need to tell us. Virtue is not always its own reward.
Comments
Nordstrom carries them.
I adore Garnet Hill's green cotton gowns -- my summer standby is the Asian wrap cap-sleeve gown. It's pretty, lightweight, and modest enough for breakfast with the folks.
I've also got a pretty Eileen West in with lots of lace and spaghetti-straps, for weekends a deux.
By the way, Pseu may want to do a search for sleepwear with modal, as it's cooler and "slipperier" than cotton on its own. I had a cotton-modal gown that I loved to death, the poor thing.
s a white cotton St. Geneve slip nightie...cool and smooth and easy care....love the Va Voom Christine Vancouver sexy number!
Linen knit sounds fantastic - but Parisian things are usually so small!
Some of the fitted ones are a challenge if we are big, or a bit droopy, in the bust (a sad fact of being over the hill).
I hate pyjamas. (Except the cat's fur ones).
the Nancy Meyer nightshirt is nice, but why spend $280 for a nightie?
To be honest, I'm most comfortable in an old Tshirt.
If you know what I mean. . .
Aunt Snow: After all the efforts you have made on optimizing your beauty, why spend 1/3 of your life in an old t-shirt? Wre spending $230 on a nightie, that fine cotton in the Meyer nightshirt feels divine, and some women can afford it. One can find pretty nightwear such as Garnet Hill) for 1/3 the price, but in my experience good quality lasts a long time; several of my nightgowns are 15 years old and still look great.
lagatta: You know the kind of t-shirt I'm railing about: men's, crew-necked. Laurence Tavernier will fit up to a largeish medium in North American sizes. Amor Lux is another terrific French brand, though not as "femmy"- they make larger sizes.
s.: after some years of receiving silk, I asked for Hanro gifts too.
tish: Garnet Hill is our source for bedding so it's always easy and tempting to order a nightgown when re-ordering towels, etc.