Nightgowns have always been a classic women’s nightwear solution since time immemorial. In the modern contemporary fashion scene, these pieces are back with edge and more finesse than ever before! When it comes to shopping for your plus size nightgown, here are some tips you should bear in mind.
Plus size nightgowns offer the perfect cocktail of femininity, simplicity, and style. They help you project a strong, yet soft feminine charm as they let you show off your curves, legs, arms, back and even neckline. With the flowing fabric that skims over your curves, to the intricate and playful details that make the gown stand out, you really will enjoy your time in them. So ditch the pajamas, oversized t-shirts, and boxy shorts and embrace your feminine appeal and beauty with elegant plus size nightgowns.
Several advantages make plus size nightgowns the ultimate nightwear for ladies. Often, plus size nightgowns are designed as one-piece clothing made of soft fabric. This makes them quite easy to throw on before bedtime and pull off in the morning. They are stylish as they incorporate colour, print and great cuts such as V-necks, U-necks, spoon-necklines, plunging necklines and ruffle finishing.
With nightgowns, you have no excuse for not being stylish even when going to bed or lounging in the house. Unlike the standard pajamas or oversized tops and shorts that we are tempted to wear for bed, plus size nightgowns are designed with your body in mind. They have additional structural details such as empire waist effects that synch you in at the upper waist giving you a fuller hourglass shape.
Gone are the days of limited options when it came to nightwear. You are no longer stuck with wearing night gear that does nothing to conceal your bulging tummy or underarm fat. With plus size nightgowns there are a countless number of style options to cater to all the needs of a plus-size woman.
What to Look for When Shopping for Your Plus Size Nightgown
When it comes to shopping for your ideal plus size nightgown you should always ensure you pick something comfortable and stylish. As a plus size woman or any woman for that matter, NEVER compromise on comfort. Ideally, the whole point of nightwear was to have comfortable apparel to put on when we strip down from our tight, constricting or layered day-time clothes. Nightgowns ought to be pieces that you are free to move around in and are irresistibly comfy to spend time in. Additionally, they should make you look and feel appealing, confident, relaxed and in control.
5 Tips for Choosing The Perfect Plus Size Nightgown
1. Fabric
Fabric is the primary determinant of comfort when it comes to sleepwear. Bad fabric can not only cause unease and entanglement during the night but can also cause skin irritation and completely inhibit a good night sleep. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, drenched in a pool of sweat that just sits on your body. Or imagine having to wake up to adjust your stiff nightgown that firmly holds onto the bed sheet refusing to move around every time you toss and turn in bed. What a night that will be!
Fabric need not only be soft but should serve the purpose of allowing plenty of air circulation and also effectively wick away and absorb any moisture. Nightgowns are made of various fabrics each with its pros and cons. A majority of plus size nightgowns do not constitute of one type of fabric but in most instances are a hybrid of several fabrics and components for fits that best suit your needs and personal preferences.
Weather is one of the factors you should have in mind when it comes to choosing your nightgown fabric. If it’s extremely hot and humid, for instance during summer, you would want to pick a very light fabric that does not hold onto your skin. In cold temperatures, such as during the winter season, you should pick heavy-duty fabric such as wool and fleece that will conserve your heat and keep you from freezing. If the temperature is not too high or too low, you can opt for silk as it has incredible thermo-regulation properties. It keeps you cool when your body is hot or overheating and keeps you warm when your body temperature drops.
Your body anatomy is another important feature to take into consideration. If you tend to sweat a lot, pick highly absorbent fabrics such as those made from cotton. No matter how pretty they look, forego fabrics that are predominantly made up of nylon as this material is a poor absorbent. If you have highly sensitive and easily irritant skin, pick fabrics such as silk or satin as they are non- abrasive and gentle on skin.
2. Structure and Design
A well-structured nightgown may be all that you need to lift your spirits and make you feel stylish. The structure is crucial for any apparel as it gives shape, proper body definition and visually flatters your frame. A formless piece of clothing that simply mirrors a piece of cloth without necessary cuts, stitching and the like will simply overwhelm your body features and make you look bland and shapeless.
For many plus size women, proper coverage is a needed requirement. As humans, it is natural that we would want to show off parts of us that we are confident about and conceal parts we are not too proud of. The same goes for plus size women. No plus size lady will feel comfortable with every lump and bump on her body being on public display. Therefore, the structure of the nightgown should effectively cover areas that you are not too comfortable showing and equally reveal or highlight your best body features.
Striking the perfect balance between coverage and exposure, especially when it comes to nightwear, may be tricky. However, you can use these simple steps to do so.
- List down in priority all your best body parts that you would want your nightgown to accentuate. Make sure it’s night-wear appropriate.
- Make a second list of the body parts you would want to downplay and preferably cover-up.
- Come up with a third list of 2-3 ‘middle ground’ nightgown structures that will flatter most of the areas you want to accentuate (if not all) and downplay most body parts you would want (if not all).
- Feel free to tweak and adjust your list as you go through the various plus size nightgowns recommendations I have below.
A considerable number of plus size nightgowns incorporate features that mildly play up the bust area, conceal the mid-section and play up the thigh area, to create an hourglass visual appeal. You can find nightgowns that have a mild flare at the base of a thigh-high cut. This gives an appearance of a wider hip region which visually minimizes the width of your upper body and waist. An empire waist effect is another structural feature that helps highlight the slim upper waist giving more definition and a curvy appearance to your frame.
For what it’s worth, avoid boxy structured nightgowns. These gowns will give you a square-like appearance which does not flatter your body. Similarly, stay clear from any densely layered nightgown as this will also add bulk to your frame.
3. Fitting
Your nightgown should not be too big or too small. Contrary to popular opinion, bigger is not always better. Oversized clothing is not visually appealing, especially when it comes to the plus size woman. Over-sized nightgowns will simply make you look bigger than you already are. Well-fitting plus size sleepwear will give you both appeal and maximum comfort. Instead of always buying a size up, take time to fit into the nightgown before you purchase. If you are ordering it online, carefully go through its dimensions and pick the size that is congruent with your body measurements.
For a better fit, pick nightgowns that have some elasticity and mild stretch in them. This helps them adapt and conform to your body shape. Nightgowns that incorporate spandex are great recommendations. You can also shop around for those with small elastic bands at the upper waist. This makes them comfortable to wear as they easily adjust to your band size.
Length is also important when it comes to a perfect fit. Pick a nightgown that is not too short or too long for your body frame. Bear in mind, the longer the length of your gown, the more it plays down your hips and butt, the shorter it is, the more pronounced your thighs and butt will be. When selecting the ideal length, you should consider your age, personal preference/modesty and weather.
4. Details
Details are what make or break an outfit and in this case, details are what can make you fall in love with your nightgown. Instead of the bland and standard nightgown look, opt for unique pieces. Feel free to add a dash of personality and taste by picking nightgowns with great prints, bold or soft colours, ribbons, or bow tie accessories. You can also have stripes, ruffles, fluff endings, puffy sleeves or embroidery to give it that elegant playful finish you desire.
Always ensure that all details on your nightgown allow you to sleep comfortably and without restraint. Mesh-like additions and a lot of lace inserts, however unique, may irritate and pinch against your skin as you sleep. Large bow ties, ribbons and beaded embroideries may likewise cause a lot of discomfort when pressed against your skin while you sleep.
5. Occasion
Ensure to always dress for the occasion. If you are planning to have a steamy night with your partner, you definitely should go for a nightgown that sets the mood. These nightgowns often are more revealing and tend to have more lace and embroidery detail than others. If you are looking for a nightgown that can double up as loungewear when in the house you can pick one that has a casual finish to it, for example, one that has pockets, short sleeves or a plus size nightshirt gown.
Top 4 types of Plus Size Nightgowns
Here is my list of plus size gowns that will love your body type.
1. Baby Doll Nightgown
This design will flatter any plus size frame! The Baby Doll nightgown incorporates an empire waist effect, which helps give your frame greater definition. Your silhouette will certainly transform to appear voluptuous with an impressionable fuller bust, smaller waist and larger hips. The Baby Doll nightgown is made up of a translucent material such as chiffon or satin, giving it a very steamy and sexy touch.
It is extremely comfortable and soft on your skin. It is also short and highly revealing (because of the translucent material) and is often coupled with matching underwear (often a G-string). For the young and free at heart, this is a recommendable option. It’s suitable for a night of romance or when you simply want to adorn yourself. Some variations of the design come with various details such as bows, ribbons, padded brassier and embroidery, while others are quite minimalistic.
2. Victorian Gown
If you are looking for modesty and elegance, this piece will do wonders for you. The Victorian gown may be the best nightgown in the market that provides for both luxury and comfort. It softly drapes over your curves and covers most of your ‘unwanted’ lumps. The addition of a narrow but yet deep plunging V-neck and the lace inserts on the arms, make it sophisticated and playful for nightwear.
3. Chemise
The standard Chemise is sleeveless with slender straps attached to a flowing piece of structured fabric. Often there is a lace insert at the neckline or upper waist to give it a playful and stylish finish. The bouncy fabric at the hem makes it flatter any plus size figure by accentuating your hips, while the soft silk and satin fabric make it extremely comfortable to sleep in. The Chemise can be found in an array of colors, prints and with varying degrees and placements of lace inserts.
Advisedly, choose a chemise that has additional detail just below the bust region. This works to distract the eye from your tummy area and focus it around your fuller- looking bust and small-looking waist. For more modesty, you can opt for a chemise that incorporates a matching gown to drape over your inner piece. This will help you cover up what you need to while still remaining stylish and comfortable.
4. Kimono Dressing Gown
These nightgowns are extremely unique, comfortable and fashionable. They are made of satin and are designed similar to the Asian ‘Kimono’ apparel. The Kimono nightgown comes with multiple print patterns, colors and hues. It is beautiful to drape on while going to bed or lounging in the house.
Typically, the Kimono is very light and thus allows for great air circulation. It is not tight or constricting in any way making it ideal for night wear. The nightgown is of average height, though you can get those of fuller length or those that are super short. Some incorporate lace, while others unique embroidery that radiates with the spirit and heart of the Kimono.
Closing Thought
In conclusion, fashion need not come at the expense of comfort. These plus size nightgowns are sure examples of the same. As a plus size woman, you can enjoy great comfort, luxury and style as you tuck yourself to bed every single night.
