We hear this every now and then:
“It’s a little more see-through than I thought it would be.”
And you know what? Let’s talk about it.
We go to great lengths to give you as much information as we can about our fabrics on each nightie about whether they’re a lighter cotton, a heavier cotton, how they feel and how they fall. Because not all cotton nighties are created equal, and what one woman absolutely loves, another might prefer a little more coverage from.
But there’s something important to know about those beautiful, lightweight cottons we all adore.
Light, breathable cotton can be a little sheer
Firstly, our nighties are exactly that — nighties.
They’re made first and foremost for bedtime, lounging around the house and your own private sanctuary. And in that space, we say wear whatever makes you happy and comfortable!
But we also know that some of you prefer a little more coverage, and that is completely understandable. Not everyone wants their undies showing through.
Pure, lightweight cotton can naturally have a little transparency to it. It comes down to the weight and weave of the fabric.
To make a fabric more opaque, you generally need to make it heavier, change the weave or introduce other fibres. And while polyester and synthetic fibres can certainly add a bit of extra oomph and coverage...
Hello, sweat fest.
That isn't what we want from a nightie. Nights are already hot enough, am I right?
We choose cotton because we want it to breathe. We want air to move through it. We want it to feel beautiful and light against your skin... particularly for those of us navigating hot nights, hot flushes, perimenopause, menopause and just life.
Sometimes the very thing that makes a nightie feel beautifully light and breathable is also what makes it a tad more sheer.
And we'd rather tell you that than pretend otherwise.
So, what if you want a little more coverage?
Easy.
If modesty is important to you, look for one of our heavier-weight cotton nighties, or pop one of our slips underneath.
A simple cotton slip gives you that extra bit of coverage without having to give up the lovely breathable nightie you've fallen in love with.
A dressing gown or brunch coat is another easy option for wandering around the house, answering the door or having that first morning cuppa.
But Moira… I wear mine OUT!
Oh, we know!
And we absolutely LOVE that so many of you wear your Nightie Shop nighties out and about.
Let's face it, some of these beauties were simply made to see the light of day.
We've heard of nighties being worn to lunch, around the garden, on holidays and, one of our favourites, thrown over your togs on the way to the beach.
If you're planning on taking yours beyond the bedroom and would like a little extra modesty, we'd definitely recommend adding a slip underneath.
Heading straight to the beach over your swimmers?
Carry on, girl. We love your work.
The little details matter
When you're choosing your next nightie, think about what matters most to you.
Do you want something incredibly light and breathable for hot nights? A lighter cotton might be exactly what you're looking for.
Prefer a little more coverage? Look towards our heavier cottons.
Love a particular lighter nightie but want to wear it beyond the bedroom? Add a slip.
There isn't really a right or wrong answer. Everyone has their own vibe.
For us, it's about giving you the information so you can choose the nightie that makes you feel your most comfortable.
Keep an eye out for the following nightie notes:
Light voile cotton : She's light, she's sheer.
Light weight white cotton : You know it, she's sheer.
Crisp cotton : White may be a little more showy than other colours.
Stretchy fine knit : She's giving you weight and coverage (but not hot sweat vibes)
Heavier poplin cotton : She's light but she has some weight to her. Not see-through.
Still not sure, please do email us or drop us a message on our socials. We are always happy to help.
But remember, if you're looking for beautiful, breathable cotton to see you through warm nights, hot flushes, perimenopause, menopause and everything beyond, sometimes lighter really is better.
And yes...
That might mean it's a tad see-through.
Nothing a lovely slip or dressing gown can't fix.
Love,
Moira xx