In Praise of the Babydoll Nightie

[silkies]

A classic and sexy lingerie design, the babydoll nightie was conceived in the 1940s in response to the shortages of material caused during WWII. The name for the gown didn't come about until 1956 when Carroll Baker appeared on screen in the 1956 movie Baby Doll wearing a short, sleeveless nightie.



Babydoll nighties come as a set with a matching panty, and were always intended to show off a woman's legs. Originally, the panties were bloomer style, but over time as panties shrunk in general, so did the panties that accompanied a babydoll nightie.





I have always had an affinity for babydoll nighties, as it was finding one of these exquisite garments hanging on the back of the bathroom door at my Aunt's house when I was seven that first led to my love of lingerie. I was captivated by it, and felt compelled to try it on. The moment I first felt it on my skin I was permanently addicted. That nightie was very similar to the one below, except that it was pink with what lace.

[silkies]

I went through my folders and selected some more...