The best way to start any day is with a good night’s sleep, and while it may seem trivial at first, your nightwear choice can make a world of difference in the way you sleep. Choosing the right nightgown, pajamas or other sleepwear is more important than you think.
First consider the main purpose of your sleepwear. 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 whimsy or glamour, and of course, sometimes your nightwear is chosen for its sex appeal.
While most people think of nightwear as something to keep you warm in bed, many women, often in their 50s, suffer from overheating, especially at night. For them, nightwear should be cool and reduce the night sweats that many women of that age experience. While the design of the nightgown is important, the most important factor in temperature control is the fabric. Man-made fibers, while possibly easier to wash and care for, trap body heat and prevent the body from breathing. Nightgowns made of natural fibers, such as cotton or silk, are much more comfortable.
When temperatures are cold, the choice of nightwear often changes from nightdress to pajamas, in any case, the choice should include a design with sleeves. Even in cool temperatures, natural fibers like silk and cotton are more comfortable than modern man-made fibers that seem to trap sweat, but sleeved designs stand out. If you sleep alone, you may want your nightwear to be made of a thicker fabric, designed to trap your own body heat.
Comfort is very important in nightwear, and it is often spoiled by straps. Straps too short, straps too long, straps digging in, straps falling off, or worse, straps falling off. If the nightwear you chose has straps, check the construction before you buy, a surprising number of straps start to fall off when the garment is still in stores. Ideally, the straps should be attached firmly and adjustable in some way, or best of all, they should cross over at the back, a design feature that ensures they can’t fall off.
For a glamorous choice, choose a nightgown designed to resemble a long evening gown. Silk or satin next to the skin creates a very opulent feel as well as being generally more breathable and comfortable. If, like most women, you have a pear shape and hips that are larger than your bust, you may have trouble finding a nightgown that fits you well. Standard sizes allow for a two-inch size difference between the hips and bust, but many women, particularly after they’ve had children, find the difference to be larger. The result is that the tight busts of the most glamorous nightgowns are often too large, or if the bust is the right size, the rest of the nightgown is too small. In this case, to achieve the maximum glamorous effect, tailored nightgowns are the answer.
When it comes to fabric, the most glamorous option is usually satin, which feels good against the skin, but once again, be careful with artificial satins, silk may be a better option. The reflective surface of satin can make you look larger than you really are, so if that worries you, the less reflectivity of silk or the use of 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 gemstone lace to the bodices of their nightgowns and lingerie. Please think about this carefully before buying. It looks great and will make you feel good, but if you plan to wear the garment in intimate situations, will it be comfortable? The same comment could be made about cheaper, rougher laces. Nylon lace may look attractive, but it is often stiff and rough against the skin. Again, 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? Many manufacturers sell a very limited range, not everyone looks good in black or white, older and more sophisticated women often look better in softer colours, such as peach and grey. Blues, which look fantastic on most women, are largely ignored by the lingerie industry, but they’re a great option, especially if you have blue eyes. Redheads will want to emphasize their color, soft greens and taupes are often good choices when available. Unfortunately the most popular colors are black and white, where the details of the garment are often difficult to see. When 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 woman with nothing on. The fabric comes in various weights and can be layered. Look for a style that covers the parts you don’t like and shows off the parts you do. Choose a nightgown that appeals to you and in which you feel comfortable. Many women report that they feel silly in the nightgowns their partners choose for them. For romantic purposes, buy a nightgown that makes you feel glamorous and comfortable but naughty and then see where it takes you.
Nightgowns and pajamas are not just what we wear at night, they are important pieces of clothing; we spend at least a third of our life in them. Feeling really good in your 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. Could there be a better way to start the day?
