Nighties and nightdresses: the lightness of a single piece

A slip dress is a short piece, usually sleeveless and with thin straps, that stops at mid-thigh. A nightgown follows the same principle but is longer and more covering, often with sleeves. Both are worn as a single piece, without a belt or size to adjust, which explains their comfort for those who don’t like to feel elastic while sleeping.

Women's slip dress or nightgown: which to choose

The difference lies in the length and coverage, depending on the season and use. The slip dress, short and light, is suitable for warm nights and is often chosen in satin or lace. The nightgown, longer and made of cotton or jersey, keeps the legs warm and can be worn all year round; washed cotton versions have largely erased the old-fashioned image it used to have. Finally, the nightwear refers to the piece worn over a women’s slip dress, not the night garment itself.

Fabrics for women's slip dresses

Satin dominates this category: its smooth surface glides over the skin, doesn't get tangled in the sheets, and stays cool. Lace, often used as trim rather than a full piece, adorns without scratching as long as it’s soft. Cotton and modal are the best choices for daily wear, as they absorb sweat where polyester satin retains it. Viscose offers a compromise between the drape of satin and the breathability of cotton.

Choosing the size of a slip dress

A women’s slip dress should be loose-fitting, never tight: take your usual size and especially check two points, the length, which varies a lot from brand to brand, and the adjustment of the straps, essential to prevent gaping at the neckline. The lace slip dress is the most sought after, followed by the women’s silk slip dress, which is more expensive but provides better regulation, and the long women’s slip dress, which reaches the knee. On a larger bust, prefer a model with lined cups or a constructed inset, as a simple thin strap won’t provide support. The slip dress is just one of the pieces in women’s homewear: the two-piece pyjama and the robe cater to the other two times of the day.