Cozy 60s nightgowns and other sleepwear
Growing up in the 80s, these vintage photos reminded me about the dress-up box at my grandma’s house — filled with her old nightgowns from the 50s and 60s.
Silky and frou-frou (with that delightful chiffon texture only polyblends like Dacron polyester and nylon tricot can impart!), my sister and I spun around like princesses in our fanciest flow-y dress. Those old nighties were basically prom dresses and ballgowns as far as we were concerned.
Now we invite you to snuggle in and reminisce through this cozy and comfy sleepwear collection featuring 1960s nightgowns and pajamas.
Make sure to scroll all the way to the end for the teaser in the title — an especially, um, hot advertising spread. -BB
1964
Women’s pajamas and nightgowns from the 1960s
A pink & white slumber party, sixties style
(We especially love the bonus of a girl hugging her Beatles photo!)
Cuddled in calico
1: Charming calico… straight from a story book, fashioned into a perky cotton quilt robe with soft, lightweight polyester fill and acetate tricot backing. Long, sit-by-the-fire styling, features double-breasted bodice atop a raised waistline. Side seam pocket.
2: Discover the charm of the little-girl look in this double quilted cotton robe with soft polyester fill. Sugar-plum pink teams with apple green in a reverse print. Young, raised waistline, tied high with contrasting ribbon, accents fitted bodice and full skirt. Zipper front; side pocket.
3 and 4: Cozy calico prints in warm Sanforized cotton flannelette .. so cuddly soft and delectable to dream in. And just wonderful on chilly nights while watching TV. Fashioned with old-fashioned charm in a fetching long gown and comfortable long pajama. White cotton broadcloth bib insert adds a prim touch; dainty cotton eyelet trim.
Also see: Did married couples really sleep in separate beds back in the ’50s?
Nifty loungers! Vintage ’60s loungers and dusters
1965
Vintage 60s nightgowns and pajamas from Sears
Pajama party for young juniors
Don’t miss! Vintage slumber parties were the perfect tween birthday celebrations, complete with pajamas & sleeping bags
1965
60s nightgowns dominated by pastel colors
Now-look nighties never need ironing
E: A bitty “mini” sleeper with dainty embroidery and lace trim for an all-girl look.
F: Our culotte — a swinging look for anytime lounging, in a bright multicolored print with flattering cowl neckline and back zipper. It’s so comfortable, you’ll want to wear it for everything.
G: A night set — coat, gown trimmed with lace, beading.
1968
60s nightgowns and pajamas
Culotte pajamas: Glamorous and colorful
ALSO SEE: See vintage culottes: The pants that looked like skirts
Fashion looks in winter: Heather tones, chic checks, the peasant dress
1968
Retro 60s pajamas in bold retro patterns
1969
More 60s pajamas: Onesies for young adults
New dreamy night-night things (or how to keep snuggly and warm all the way down to your toes)
Baby yourself! In our super soft jammies for big girls. Waffly pink or blue, cotton flannel “laced up” in white. Feet, with skid-resistant soles, keep you extra cozy.
A fashionable fire? Models in ’60s nightgowns
You know — like have a girl in an adorable pink nightgown stand on the window ledge while smoke billows out behind her. Then maybe get the girl who passed out from smoke inhalation can wear a charmingly stylish embroidered number.
The lass who jumped off the building? She’s in a darling babydoll nightie. And at the end of it all, when everyone’s been rescued, make sure there’s plenty of fashionable flirting with firemen.
I guess this way to model ’60s nightgowns for a photo shoot kind of seemed to make sense when you were part of a generation often given advice like, “Make sure you always wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.”
Also see: Swimsuits, sleepwear & ’70s lingerie from the 1973 JC Penney catalog
’60s nightgowns in “The fortunate, fashionable rescue”
You never know when you’ll have to make an unexpected public appearance.
Like the girls here, for example. Surprised in the night by a five-alarm fire, rescued before there was a chance to change, each (luckily) was caught in something so devastatingly pretty, she didn’t feel the least bit flustered about going out in the world.
Moral: The right way to be rescued is in the nicest nighties you can find.
Hot pink ’60s nightgowns
To keep you warm and cozy on even the coldest nights: A long, hot-pink nightie, nicely dandified with a rush of white lace ruff at the neck and sleeves. Of fleecy, light-as-air acetate and nylon-brushed knit. By Flair. Available in sizes small, medium and large, $9.
’60s nightgowns: “To the rescue”
A long Directoire nightie, pretty as an evening dress, the hem ruffled and caught with a blue ribbon, and more blue ribbon at the neck. The bodice is of embroidered cotton eyelet, the skirt of dacron and cotton. By Saramae. In sizes P, S, M, L, about $12.
Babydoll dress nightgown
Caught here: Just like a baby dress, a short, freshly peppermint-striped nightie, with lace-ruffled baby yoke, a red bow and three pearl buttons in front, from waist to hem underlined with its own petticoat. Of tricot nylon by Warners. Sizes P, S, M, L, $12.
’60s nightgowns: “After the rescue”
All safe and sound, the nighties, from left: Three short layers of sheer nylon tricot, Van Raalte; Long fall of nylon tricot, Vanity Fair; Striped dacron/cotton voile, MC Schrank; Shift of nylon crepe, Eyeful.
Also see: Goodnight, gals! ’80s pajamas, old-fashioned flannel nightgowns & other sleepwear for women
3 Responses
What’s so bizarre? I think it’s a great ad campaign. Have you seen any of the finer vtg nightgowns on the resale market?? You know why they’re a fortune? because you can’t find actually pretty, well made nightgowns! every pajama made now are t shirts, sweats, something so plain and unfeminine, and made so cheaply. Just this week I picked up a vintage (year? idk) Christian Dior long nightgown with lace inserts, it’s like brand new- and has a Union label. The quality shows in the garment believe me.
Thanks for the comment! I personally thought that an emergency situation — a fire, something that kills thousands of people each year — seemed like a strange and kind of insensitive focus for a fashion shoot. But different opinions make the world go round! And I had no idea about the vintage nightgown quality or pricing. Thank you for sharing. :-)
Hi. Great collection of photos! I believe the Nifty Lounger page contains a very early photo of the Lauren Hutton, who went on to become a famous supermodel in the 1970s. She’s the model on the left.