There’s nothing better than a clearance rack packed with nightgowns. Here’s what I found when I visited the Lord & Taylor lingerie floor early in the summer.
First up is the one that got away. This floaty Donna Karan gown is the epitome of pretty and feminine with elements of fantasy and pretend (two of the criteria I described when I began this series). I believe it was polyester, but it felt like silk, and I loved the seam detailing in back and at the bottom as well as the decadently generous fabric allowance. Normally over $140, I bought it for $70 and then returned it because I let my head overrule my heart. For some reason, I couldn’t be satisfied with this being mere sleepwear. I wanted to wear it outside but couldn’t stand the prospect of a strapless bra or of simply using it as a swimsuit coverup. I also rigidly adhered to my no-gathers-above-the-bust rule that I told you about at the beginning of this series (for a great workaround to this issue, check out Sarah’s solution in her comment to that post). So I took it back to the store, and of course it wasn’t there the next time I checked. It’s now available several places online in white, as well as in a pale pink at Saks, but now I’m in love with the watercolor print Aurora gown, which has gathers between the breasts instead of above them, and a great print that would group my boobs with my neckline. If the Aurora ever drops 50% from its $198 price, I’ll let my heart win this time!
Next is another Donna Karan find, the Liquid Jersey Crossover Gown that was extremely discounted that day. According to the wrap-dress dictates directed at D+ women, this should be a great gown on us, and I wanted to love it–so elegant!–but my boob droop spoiled the look. If Mr. Campbell had chosen this from the lineup I showed him, however, I would have gladly compromised and kept it. Wouldn’t it be lovely if Eveden or Midnight Grace would create this same gown using a full-bust shelf with side slings?
Finally, here’s the chemise I bought and kept. It’s from Jonquil by In Bloom and cost around $30 on sale.
- There is no shelf, but I look less droopy in this than in the Donna Karan crossover gown because the print groups my bosom with my neckline (or disguises it, one or the other–or both!). The vertical line down the center helps, too.
- I also like how the racerback emphasizes my shoulders so that they look wider than my chest. When I catch a glimpse of myself wearing this chemise, I feel positively athletic!
And I adore the back. It’s my chance to wear a fun back without worry about bra straps!
This chemise isn’t like anything else I tried on, and I think that’s part of my reason for choosing it. When I showed Mr. Campbell the collage below, I was drawn to the Jonquil. It looked more “me” and had an energy that the others lacked. Plus, the price was very right.
I’ve now worn this nightgown for most of the summer, and there’s only one negative. The gorgeous slinky stretch fabric that wads up into the tiniest ball when I’m packing my suitcase is entirely unbreathable. With no internal shelf, there have been some very sweaty underboob moments in this nightgown. This is something I’ll keep in mind the next time I’m shopping for a new nightgown.
Now that I see them all side by side my favorite is the grey one from Freya, too bad they don’t make it in other colors.
On the other side I also have to admit that Freya nightwear is not my favorite, I don’t feel it offers enough support, and find the “inner bra” a joke when compared to my favorites.
The nightwear I love the most is made by Bravissimo and Lepel. Unfortunately it seems like both might be changing for worse…
My absolute favorites that I hugely regret not having multiples of are a nightgown and chemise from an old Bravissimo collection, made in blue and red shiny fabric combined with black lace. I don’t remember Bravissimo launching this line and only found it a couple years ago on eBay. The inner support really works, it is made of a very thin foam and has hooks and eyes in the back, they came in bra sizes including 28 backs and various cup sizes (mine is F-G). Sadly it seems Bravissimo no longer makes 28 in most of their nightwear, and also they no longer make the more glamorous pieces, their collections seem more and more “relaxed”, “sporty” and “girly”… the necklines are higher and they mostly come in pastel hues… sad.
As for Lepel my favorite is a lilac with white lace collection called Lotty, they’re not as great as Bravissimo because they come in regular clothe’s sizing, the secret support bra does not have hooks in the back, it’s just a continuous band, like Freya, but they do use the thin foam in the cups, for me this makes the biggest difference, I find it much more comfortable than the ones that only use fabric like Freya. Sadly I bought a light blue gown from Lepel I thought was similar to Lotty (I think it is called Francesca) but, although the outside layer’s cut was the same, the inner bra was made of fabric 🙁 curious thing is this fabric managed to give e more support than the one Freya uses, but obviously not as much as the foam previously used.
Sorry for the huge text, but since I don’t see many full bust nightwear reviews thought I’d give my two cents and make a mini-review of the ones I liked.
Yes, the grey one really is the best. At Curve, a lingerie store owner asked what sleepwear I would recommend, and I immediately said the Deco Dream. Then I felt conflicted because it wasn’t the one I kept, but you’ve affirmed why I gave that answer.
THANK YOU for your mini-review. This is exactly what I was hoping for with this series . . . that we could put our collective wisdom together on this subject!
You’re welcome, I always search for reviews when buying new nightwear and rarely find any, so I was very happy to see you blogging about it. It is very usefull to know if the pieces have an inner bra and of which material it is made.