A nightdress is chosen for its shape and trim, but the fabric decides how it feels at three in the morning and how much care it needs afterwards. British bedrooms range from cold spare rooms to well-heated flats, so it helps to know what each fabric does before you buy.
This guide covers the fabrics you will meet on nightdress labels: polyester satin, viscose, modal, chiffon and lace.
Polyester satin: smooth and cool
Polyester satin is smooth, cool to the touch and holds its colour. It suits anyone who likes a sleek feel against the skin and a clean, even shade, from champagne to deep plum.
Care is simple but specific. Wash it cool and gentle, do not tumble dry, and press it with a cool iron on the reverse if it creases.
Because it holds its colour, polyester satin is a natural fit for deeper shades. The Irall satin pieces we list include plum, jade green, burgundy and black, as well as lighter champagne and cream.
The Irall Latifa chemise nightdress in plum and the Mallory II in champagne are both listed as satin nightdresses. Whatever you choose, check the fibre content stated for that piece.
Viscose and modal: soft, breathable and fluid
Viscose and modal are breathable and soft, and they drape: they hang in a fluid line rather than holding a shape of their own.
They are the better choice if you tend to feel warm in bed, or if satin feels too cool against your skin on a winter night. Wash them at 30°C on a gentle cycle and dry them flat.
Chiffon: a layer, not a nightdress
Chiffon is sheer, and it is made to be worn as a layer over a nightdress. A chiffon robe adds a second layer without hiding what is underneath, so choose the nightdress beneath it with that in mind.
Lace trims: decoration that sets the care routine
Lace on a hem, cup or collar is mostly decoration, but it decides how the piece is washed: by hand, or in a lingerie bag.
Many pieces combine fabrics. The Irall Elodie in azure blue is satin with embroidered lace cups, and the Cleopatra dressing gown is satin with embroidered chiffon cuffs. When a piece mixes fabrics, follow the gentler instruction.
Matching the fabric to the sleeper
If you are still undecided, start from how you sleep and how you wash, and let the look follow.
- You like a smooth, cool feel and an even colour: polyester satin.
- You run warm or want softness: viscose or modal.
- You want a lighter layer over a plain nightdress: a chiffon robe.
- You dislike hand washing: a lingerie bag does the job for lace trim, or choose pieces without it.
- You wear a robe over your nightdress: a satin or viscose nightdress works under either a warm dressing gown or a chiffon layer.
- You tumble dry everything: none of these suits the dryer, so allow time to dry them away from it.
Three common mix-ups
Smooth does not mean warm. Satin is cool to the touch, so it can feel cold when you first get into bed on a winter night.
Lace is not only trim. It decides the washing routine for the whole piece, so check for it before you assume a nightdress can go in with the rest of the wash.
A chiffon robe is not a replacement for a nightdress. It is a sheer layer that goes over one.
A note on cold bedrooms
Satin feels cool to the touch, which many people welcome in a warm room and others find a shock in winter. If your bedroom is cold, a viscose or modal nightdress is the gentler choice, and a dressing gown, which is longer and warmer than a short robe, takes care of the rest.
In a warm flat, or in summer, the picture reverses: breathable viscose or modal is the easier choice, and cool satin is often welcome.
Choosing the size once you have chosen the fabric
Sizing follows the brand, not the fabric. Irall lists S as UK 8–10, M as UK 10–12, L as UK 12–14, XL as UK 14–16 and XXL as UK 16–18. Beauty Night lists S/M as UK 8–12, L/XL as UK 12–16 and XXL as UK 16–18.
Check the chart for the brand you are buying, and see our size guides for the rest.
Labels and returns
UK nightwear carries a ‘Keep away from fire’ label, so look for it alongside the fibre content and the care instructions. If a fabric feels different from what you expected, nightwear can be returned: you have 14 days to change your mind.
Browse our nightdresses, and if you are unsure which size to order, try Find My Size.