This past summer was the summer of pajamas as real clothing. If you walked around SoHo or Brooklyn, you'd see tons of New York City's tastemakers wearing boxers as shorts. Often, these were paired with a long-sleeved button-down in what I call the "Skype interview" or Risky Business aesthetic.
So it stands to reason that nightgowns are the next bedroom staple to emerge from the intimates drawer and onto the city streets. Credit this to Sabrina Carpenter's tour wardrobe, influencer Harling Ross' collaboration with nightdress brand If Only If, the rise of a vintage, romantic aesthetic, or even the simple fact that we deserve a break from fitted waistbands.
All of these dresses (minus the last one, which is made from a linen blend) are 100% cotton. Once you go 100% cotton, it's almost impossible to return to the stifling polyester blends that are so common in sundresses. Cotton — especially cotton poplin — is breathable, light, and feels great against your skin.
All these nightgowns function as some of the best pajamas, even if you choose to wear them as a dress. And they're perfect for hot sleepers in the summer who want the best cooling pajamas for temperature regulation.
A short, breezy choice that isn't see-through at all
The Alice Nightgown from Lake is made from a seersucker material that stays crisp and cool. I got it in the more nightdress-adjacent white color, but there are other colorways, like nautical blue or mint green, that look a little more like real dresses.
How it feels to wear as a dress: I want all my dresses to feel this breathable and light. The Alice Nightgown basically floats around your body, with no uncomfortable necklines or even rough seams. When there's inevitably a day in the summer when it's so humid that breathing outside feels like gulping steam, this is the dress I will reach for. Not only does the white version not show sweat, but the fabric is also cool to the touch and supremely airy.
This nightgown is also pretty opaque. While some of the dresses on this list lean into the casual sheerness of cotton, the seersucker material keeps this from being translucent, even in direct sunlight.
How it feels to sleep in it: I mentioned above that when the humidity hits, this is the first dress I'll be wearing outside. So I have a feeling that this piece will be constantly in the wash, because this would be my choice for hot, sticky nights as well. Trust me, sleeping in front of the fan in this crisp, thin-strapped dress will be a much more pleasant experience than sleeping in an old T-shirt that's probably made with nonporous synthetics. Fabrics make all the difference when it comes to temperature control.
What I wore it with:
The elegant vintage gown that's too pretty to just wear to bed
When I walk around in The Kayla from Eileen West, I feel like a heroine from a bygone era. Granted, the heroine of a Jane Austen novel would never use this nightgown as an outside dress — but she would have a great scene brushing her hair in front of an antique vanity while wearing it.
How it feels to wear as a dress: Modest dressers, be warned that this pick is a little see-through. It's not overly transparent, but you can see the outline of your legs in direct sunlight. Personally, I'm all for enjoying the breezy, sheet-like feel of the dress and leaning into the subtle sheerness. Nude underwear is definitely a must, though.
I love wearing this out in the summer. It's perfect for picnics, brunches in the sunshine, and holding a baguette and flowers as you dreamily walk through the farmers market. Unlike some of the more modern cuts, this nightgown has a distinct vintage feel that's fun to lean into.
How it feels to sleep in it: Since I have a larger bust, this wouldn't be my first choice for sleeping. The lace neckline — while beautiful — makes this a little tight under my arms and around my chest. Unbuttoning the first two buttons solves this problem pretty well and makes it comfortable enough to be a daytime dress, but I think it would tug at me if I tried to sleep in it. If you don't have a larger bust, though, this shouldn't be a concern.
What I wore it with:
A cottagecore number with Swiss dots and delicate florals
With a pattern of tiny blue flowers and a ruffled neckline, the Elizabeth Nightgown is what cottagecore dreams are made of. It makes me wish I had a garden and a sourdough loaf in the oven.
How it feels to wear as a dress: On the scale of transparent to opaque, this definitely errs on the side of transparent. If you want to wear it as a dress, pairing it with a nude slip (or even a skirt slip) is a good idea.
The aesthetic itself is definitely on par with ultra-feminine trends like hair bows and Mary Janes. Plus, the general vibe is reminiscent of trend-making brands like Hill House (but the dresses and nightgowns there will run you around $200, compared to $74 for Eileen West).
How it feels to sleep in it: Because the fabric is a little more sheer, it's also ultra breezy, which makes it good for summer nights. Initially, I had my doubts about sleeping in this gown because of the raised Swiss Dots and the longer length. But even though it's a full-length dress, I had no issues tossing and turning in this at night. And the Swiss Dots didn't cause me any annoyance at all, even though I'm a sensitive sleeper.
What I wore it with:
The perfect dress for cosplaying as a Victorian ghost
This dress from Petite Plume was my nightgown gateway drug. I wore it once to bed. And then again to work from home the next day. And then right into bed again. It makes me look like a chic vintage ghost, and I love that about it.
How it feels to wear as a dress: The Ava Nightgown isn't very see-through, so it's ready for the streets even with no slip (although it is still a nightgown, so it's not 100% opaque). But it's quite a versatile dress. You can wear the sleeves off the shoulder or keep the square neckline. Personally, I love how it looks off the shoulder, but I can't bring myself to wear a restricting strapless bra with a dress that's meant to be comfy and breezy. It would also look great with a thin belt to give it some shape.
How it feels to sleep in it: Wonderful. It's comfortable, loose enough that nothing is tugging at you, and has no extra design details that are for aesthetics rather than comfort. It does get wrinkled in bed, though, but that's expected with 100% cotton.
What I wore it with:
An embroidered pick that's fully opaque
This is the only nightgown on this list that's not 100% cotton. It's a mix of cotton and linen, which is the only acceptable "cotton blend" that we will stand for. The material on this one isn't as soft and billowy as the others, but it is considerably more opaque. It's also from one of our favorite up-and-coming clothing brands, Damsen Madder, a London-based label.
How it feels to wear as a dress: If you're tall, this will be more like a shirt on you. I'm just under five feet two inches, and even I could use an extra inch or two on the hem. But despite it being a little short, I still get tons of use out of it as a dress. It's what I pull on when I'm crossing the street to get a coffee or walking my dog. Plus, I love the look of the babydoll silhouette with a cute pair of Mary Janes.
How it feels to sleep in it: If you want to wear it to bed, I would recommend sizing up a bit. The neckline is a little restricting, so those who thrash about in their sleep might find it a little too uncomfortable. I've also found that the material isn't as breathable as the other picks on this list, so it traps heat in a bit more.
What I wore it with:
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