How to choose a nightgown for yourself

The best way to start any day is with a good night’s sleep, and while it may seem trivial at first, your choice of nightwear can make a big difference to the way you sleep. Choosing the right nightgown, pajamas, or other nightwear is more important than you might think.

First, consider the main purpose of your nightwear. This will vary from day to day. Sometimes you’re just looking for comfort while you sleep, sometimes you’re looking for warmth, sometimes a bit of fantasy or glamor, and of course sometimes your nightwear is chosen for its sex appeal.

While most people think of nightwear as something to keep warm in bed, many women, often in their 50s, suffer from overheating, especially at night. For them, the nightwear should be fresh and reduce the night sweats suffered by many women of that age. While the design of the nightgown is important, the most important factor in temperature control is the fabric. Man-made fibers, although possibly easier to wash and care for, trap body heat and prevent the body from breathing. Nightgowns made from natural fibers, such as cotton or silk, are much more comfortable.

When temperatures are cold, the choice of nightwear often changes from nightgown to pajamas; in any case, the choice must include a design with sleeves. Even in cold temperatures, natural fibers like silk and cotton are more comfortable than modern man-made fibers, which seem to trap sweat, but sleeve designs take center stage. If you sleep alone, you may want your nightwear to be made from thicker fabric, designed to trap your own body heat.

Comfort is very important in sleepwear and is often ruined by straps. Straps that are too short, too long, sticking in, falling off, or worse yet, falling off. If the sleepwear you chose has straps, check the construction before you buy, a surprising number of straps start to fall off while the garment is still in stores. Ideally, the straps will be firmly attached and adjustable in some way, or best of all, they will cross at the back, a design feature that ensures they won’t fall off.

For a glamorous choice, choose a nightgown that has been designed to resemble a long evening dress. Silk or satin next to the skin creates a very opulent feel and is generally more breathable and comfortable. If, like most women, you are pear-shaped and have hips larger than your bust, you may have trouble finding a nightgown that fits you well. Standard sizes allow for a two-inch difference between hips and bust, but many women, especially after having children, find the difference to be greater. The result is that the tight busts of the most glamorous nightgowns are often too large, or if the bust is the correct size, the rest of the nightgown is too small. In this case, for the full glamorous effect, tailored nightgowns are the answer.

In terms of fabric, the most glamorous option is usually satin, which feels good against the skin, but again, be careful with artificial satins, silk may be a better option. The reflective surface of the satin can make you look bigger than you really are, so if that worries you, the lower reflectivity of silk or using a crepe-backed satin, crepe side out, with the elegance of satin against the skin, it can be an excellent and sensual choice.

Some luxury brands add beading or beaded lace to the bodices of their nightgowns and lingerie. Think about this carefully before you buy. It looks great and will make you feel good, but if you intend to wear the garment in intimate situations, will it be comfortable for you? The same comment could be made about cheaper and rougher laces. Nylon cord may look attractive, but it is often stiff and scratches the skin. Again, it is not ideal for love situations.

When choosing a nightgown for its sex appeal, there are a number of factors to consider. Does the color suit you? Many manufacturers sell a very narrow range, not everyone looks good in black or white, older, sophisticated women tend to look better in softer colors such as peach and gray. Blues, which look great on most women, are largely ignored by the lingerie industry, but they are a great option, especially if you have blue eyes. Redheads will want to emphasize their coloring, soft greens and taupe are usually good options when available. Unfortunately, the most popular colors are black and white, where the details of the garment are often difficult to see. Where you really want to make an impression, finding the right color for you is worth the effort.

Satin feels wonderful against the skin, but silk can be so light that you feel naked while wearing it. Many women report that this gives them a special “naughty” feel that they don’t get from any other fabric. Chiffon is another popular choice, as many men report that the hint of a woman’s body under her nightgown is much more exciting than the same women without anything. Chiffon comes in various weights and can be worn in multiple layers. Look for a style that covers the parts you don’t like and showcases the ones you like. Choose a nightgown that you like and are comfortable with. Many women report feeling silly in the nightgowns that their partners choose for them. For romantic purposes, buy a nightgown that makes you feel glamorous and comfortable yet naughty and then see where it takes you.

Nightgowns and pajamas are not just what we wear at night, they are important items; we spend at least a third of our lives in them. Feeling really good in nightwear helps you sleep well and feel good about yourself. You wake up refreshed and when you first look in the mirror in the morning, you feel good about your reflection. Can there be a better way to start the day?