Nightgown

Add to album

This man's blue wool damask nightgown dates from around 1740. It was made in Britain and would have been worn indoors, on informal occasions, over a shirt and breeches.

The gown is woven with a large foliage design. It is lined with a slightly darker shade of blue twilled wool. The cut is based on the kimono and replaced the earlier style which was rather like a modern university gown. The stripes on the front of the nightgown are calender marks - a calender machine used rollers to smooth out cloth.

Eighteenth-century life was divided more rigidly than today into formal and informal occasions. Clothes had to suit these occasions. Men's formal coats were of expensive cloth, tight-fitting and restrictive. At home they wore warm, comfortable dressing gowns known as nightgowns. They were made of wool or silk and were the equivalent of today's tracksuit.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-180-000-142-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1975.415
• Date: Around 1740
  Late 19th - early 20th centu
  
• Material: White silk satin, red machine-made cotton lace, and white bone
  Fan
  ICOM Number: 8
  
• Dimensions: 425 mm L (of guards)
  
• What: Fan
  ICOM Number: 8
  
• Subject: European Costume : accessories : fans
  
• Who:
• Where: Britain
  
• Event:
• Description: Fan of white silk satin and red machine-made cotton lace, with sticks and guards of white bone: British, late 19th - early 20th century
  
• References:
  • Tarrant, Naomi. The Development of Costume. London & New York. NMS & Routledge, 1994, p 64. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: