Just like my Mum & Grandma before me, I pride myself on having a wardrobe filled with clothes fit for any occasion. A vintage awards ceremony or a curry and a few pints, a birthday bash or a blogger's day out, festivals, art exhibitions, sweaty gigs, funerals, holidays...you name it, I've got the outfit. When I help friends de-clutter its always the outfit they rushed out and bought at the last minute which is the first thing to get ditched.
When I got the letter confirming my hip replacement operation eight years ago I realised that I didn't have a nightie to my name and, in a mad panic, spent a small fortune in Debenhams stocking up on suitable sleep wear. I'm sure having to wear bland high street offerings hindered the healing process. I took this as an abject sign of failure in the managing of a successful wardrobe. Since then I've snapped up every fabulous vintage nightie I can lay my hands on, vowing never again to waste cash on shoddy, last minute buys.
As my next total hip replacement is still a couple of years away (or sooner, if I insist on wearing heels this height on a daily basis) it would be a crime to relegate my collection to the bottom of a drawer and, as most vintage nighties are utterly gorgeous, why wait till I'm wired to a drip and off my head on morphine to show them off?
So I wear them out and about with pride (with a vintage slip underneath to keep it decent).
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| Just a few treasures from my nightie hoard! |
My latest acquisition is this 1930s emerald green beauty which I found on Maggie at Garbo Antiques rail at Stockport's Vintage Village yesterday.
Stockport was fabulously busy & today we're recharging our batteries in readiness for the week ahead, one which involves hunting down more stock (we sold so much yesterday that the rails are looking rather sparse), helping out at the jumble sale and getting ready for a weekend festival of vintage at Speke Hall in Liverpool where I finally get to meet Alex, a blogging buddy of many years.
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| 1930s nightie (£5) worn with pastel suedette platforms (£5, local retail, 2013), vintage beaded bag (Charity shop, 2012) |
I can't believe they're all nighties! Too fabulous to remain unseen. You look great in green but my favourite is the little yellow one. xxx
ReplyDeleteThat is such a wonderful colour, although they are all gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing nighties! Wouldn't have guessed some of them weren't meant to see the light of day (ooh-err!) :)
ReplyDeleteyour nighties collection is Amazing, love every piece and love you're sporting them so fabulously!!.
ReplyDeleteYou really have to be pride of your assorted wardrobe, I admire your talent to have a piece for any event! Because you've got a great Talent (with a capital T)!!
besos & emerald green!
You look amazing ... that green is such a good colour on you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ... happy hunting!
M x
I love this nightie, for day or night. I too prefer interesting sleepwear from the vintage racks; it was so much more interesting back then! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, you are a vintage-loving goddess, xox.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time with Alex! I think my fave nightie is the pink+blue dotty one that looks like a go-go dress.
ReplyDeletegreat post!!! what beautiful and unique night(ie)s, and what a nice read! It made me smile!
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. Your nighties are far too glorious to go to bed in. Emerald green is flipping gorgeous on you. xx
ReplyDeleteWish i could find some nighties like these especially the green one its beautiful and you look very pretty in it xxx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I too love wearing vintage nighties but have got caught out in the past having forgotten a slip underneath! Whoops! Particular love this green number, it's far too fabulous to just be confined to the bedroom. XX
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet worn any of my vintage nighties as dresses - but you've offered the knack of how to do it "a slip underneath", brilliant. When night dresses look as good as they look on you it would be a style crime to leave them languishing unworn.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a great collection of nighties, they are far too fab to save for bed! x
ReplyDeleteI love how great they look on you- and really vintage nighties are often more "modest" than new dresses sometimes. I used to wear nighties out and about but it's too cold up here for me here, and it's such a conservative town, it only deepens my feeling of being the oddball out. xo.
ReplyDeleteOh I agree that colour is amazing (especially on you). I used to buy short sheer nighties and wear them with a vest top and leather trousers to nightclubs (back in the 90s), it was much cheaper than buying fancy tops. I even had a friend from art school who wore his pyjamas with a black T-shirt as a suit (they were cotton from M&S). I have a few photos of my friends and I strutting our stuff in our nightwear lol. V xxx
ReplyDeleteWell, we know you don't wear them to bed, so you might as well wear them out and about, love! What a fabulous collection you have, and the latest addition is beautiful, a gorgeous colour, and look at that cheeky Cupid hiding in the lace! Let's hope you don't need it for hospital for a while.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that Stockport was fun, I bet you'll have a blast at Speke Hall, it looks very fancy!
Good luck with your stock hunting and the jumble, get filling those rails ready for the weekend! Sourcing and curating, I mean...
Love ya! xxxxx
I have to agree with previous comments, those nighties should be seen! Thank goodness you found them all. Love the cupid in the lace, clever!
ReplyDeleteAaaaaamazing nighties esp the green!!! You are so glam!!! Hurrah for meeting Alex! X
ReplyDeleteyou look sooo beautiful in that gorgeous green nighty!!
ReplyDeletethe hippies of the 60´/70´s wore victorian nighties as dresses - so you´r in a great tradition :-)
xxxx
I on the other hand look like a crazy woman if I wear anything that looks like a nightgown outside. But that doesn't stop me from wearing vintage bed jackets as cardigans
ReplyDeleteThat green is so lovely and all those nighties are far too beautiful for no one but bedsheets to see.
ReplyDeletegreen is definitely your color, never guessed it is a nightie!!
ReplyDeletegreen is definitely your color, never guessed it is a nightie!!
ReplyDeleteyes yes, far too beautiful to be hidden away, that emerald one is perfectly stunning, what a find that was, it looks amazing on you, on me,mmm, not so much, lol, thats why we have you to love and enjoy your fab wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteWould have never guessed that those are all nighties! They're all far too pretty to be kept for just sleeping in!
ReplyDeleteI would love to find a cute nightgown like one of these, and if I do I will def. were it! Nightgowns used to be much more substantial so it just makes sense. :)
ReplyDeleteFeck ME that is THE MOST HEAVENLY NIGHTIE!!!! I bloody love it, the colour and style and sweet lacey bits...mmmm...I want to ravish you in it! Nighties are such pretty things! Bugger wearing them to bed-I don't get it. As a frock, YES!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Helga xxxXXXxxx
I'm with Helga, that nightie is the most divine example, fancy snaffling a 1930s one for £5. I love everything about it, but most of all the colour. What fabric is it? People used to wear such glamorous nightwear didn't they? I'd love to have a rifle through your wardrobe, your mum's wardrobe and your grandmother's. You do them proud. xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing a rail full of vintage babydoll nighties in Camden Market once and swooning with desire. I was a size 10 then so I snapped up a few and wore them with fishnet tights and Dr Martens for many a night out. Good times. Don't know if I could wear nylon for bed though. I usually just pop on a pair of the Mister's boxers and a vest :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a fantastic woman, Vix - such a groundbreaker when it comes to fashion. The nighty is adorable, feminine and so very modest all at the same time. Love it with these funky shoes, and your panda bag is just a dream!! Many hugs xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI love those vintage nighties. Nothing they make now matches them!
ReplyDeleteYou looking amazing. My favorite is the short spotty one.
ReplyDeleteFab nighties, your new green one is stunning. xx
ReplyDeleteI never would have guessed in a million years that this is a nightie. The colour is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to believe that nightie is 26 years older than you! It must have only been worn on special occasions.
bisous
Suzanne
My pretty pretty! Still say that black & white stripey one is my fave.
ReplyDeleteLucky you going to Speke Hall, it looks amazing.
You'll love Alex, she's lovely. (Ask her what she'd like as a house-warming pressie...think she missed when I asked her on her blog!)
Zxx
And a fabulous nightie collection it is! I have always thought nighties were often so pretty they should be worn in the day and since I don't actually like to sleep in long night gowns, that is a much better use for them anyhow. Your latest green one is a stunner!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Gorgeous green! And might I add how amazing your arms look. They're perfect! I know you work hard at exercise classes. I'm changing my class, it's not doing enough for my arms. yikes, starting to look like my mother's. ;(
ReplyDeleteI love special things for lounge/sleep, etc...a lady has got to feel good no matter what she's doing!
I'm with you! One can never have too much vintage lingerie. I love the color of this beauty, along with the lace trim. And the heels! Be still my heart.
ReplyDeleteThat nightie is just fantastic! I adore the colour, & everything about it. You look incredible. Love the beaded bag, just my cup of tea. Xx
ReplyDeleteLovely colour, your nightie looks far too good to be kept for wearing in the dark. I love my collection of pretty nighties with matching wraps in lightweight satin, full length in my favourite shades of purple with deep lace front panel; I like to wear them around the house. I had sometimes thought of wearing them during the evening on holiday they are so pretty! One thing I never find is beautiful brocade or feather slippers to match though. Betty
ReplyDeleteThat is the biz! They are way nicer than my M&S efforts, now I have decided to do the same and I made a start on holiday.
ReplyDeleteI recently saw a stall on hols in France where 1900 and before chemises were dyed lovely colours and I got a fab orange one I shall wear as a nightie, lovely hand embroided and fine cotton. A cornflour blue, linen totally hand made and with hand embroided broderie anglais top. Another, more baby doll length, also hand made and embroidered will make a super skirt.
Gorgeous - we just never seem to get anything like that in our shop :(
ReplyDeleteThought of you last weekend - was my turn for festival fun in the mud!!
Speke Hall!! omg!! if I can get there I will!!! Your emerald nightie is beautiful, look at all of that detail, it should be worn out and about, but then all of your nighties are gorgeous - I have 1 nightie and a collection of holey and stained pyjama pants, yes, I clearly am a sexy woman x x x
ReplyDeleteI will never look at nighties the same again, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteI need to go fle market shopping with new eyes, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Thank you so much, my dear queen
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£5 for a 1930's nightie...insane! (Especially with cherubic lace) The colour is delicious and so is your nightie collection, my fave being 'festival nightie, the purple one'
ReplyDeleteHappy hunting.
xxx
How pretty you and your new nightie are! I wore a nightgown recently when a friend came over, however I've not been brave enough the hit the streets in it yet. I must say though, that mine, being black and fairly plain, was not nearly as lovely as your excellent selection.
ReplyDeleteI am so taken with the details in this spread of photos : the piece of cherub lace, the beaded panda bag and your feet in those beautiful shoes! xo
That colour green is just divine and it suits you perfectly
ReplyDeletexx
Since you have been wearing nighties i have been looking for them but with no luck, hard to find a decent nighty here that you could wear as daywear -
ReplyDeleteI must say yours is splendid, love the color and details
Nice to read that your business is doing so well, so pleased for you!
Lots of hugs
Arianexo
And the fashion industry thinks they invented slips and nighties as day wear, bah! Vix this is a real gem, wow the color is fierce and that sweet lil angel in the lace just gorgeous! I do think color and feeling pretty help heal in so many ways, so I look forward to seeing all the crazy colorful nighties that help your recovery. Who knows maybe I'll fly out and help baby you back to health, lord knows Jon would love the break:).
ReplyDeleteMiss you everyday! Can't wait to talk tomorrow.
Love you
Xxxxxxxxx
Gorgeous Vix and the colour is divine, have a good week x
ReplyDeleteThat vintage beaded bag is pretty amazing!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://naomemandeflores.com/en
How nicely daring to wear your nighty.I haven't been there yet but I know I will! I like the other versions of your nighties,too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightie and splendid green colour on you! I cannot take my eyes off of that fun panda bag, a treasure! Love that!
ReplyDeletexx/Madison :)
I seriously would not believe any of them are nightwear!
ReplyDeleteMind I think it's the way you wear them. x
What a yummy post! Every photo a keeper outfit. You look lovely in every nightie, and are clearly and expert in making night time bright as day! Clever girl ... but you knew that!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had some lovely "pajamas" from the 40s ... the kind that were meant to wear out and about. I found a pair in her hope-crest, but too delicate to use now. Also, too small! She was a tiny thing as a young woman. Glad to see the idea repeating, but it's not done quite so well now as then.
Except by you, of course!
So happy to see you again, kid!
Gorgeous as always !
ReplyDeletex xx
Vintage nighties are better made than current street clothes! And you look great in them all.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous nightie!! I have a 40s nightie (bit too small rn) that I like to wear :)
ReplyDeleteOk nothing to do with nighties or vintage but ..I made your curry paste, huge hit with family and yes you were right i wont be buying shop bought paste again.....xx
ReplyDeleteThat colour is glorious! They're all fab though.
ReplyDeleteHave a brilliant time in Liverpool - really looking forward to reading about that.
Annie xxx
Wow, they all look amazing, I especially love your latest green one, it's perfect and the colour really suits you.
ReplyDeleteI adore that beaded panda bag xx
Blimey, I have to start rummaging through rails that look '70s in the hope of finding some '30s gems like this! I love this one you, it's far too lovely to wear just in bed. The colour is amazing! I assumed most '30s nightwear was peach!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous x
Isn't it crazy to think that once upon a time you'd probably be arrested for indecent exposure for wearing your night gown as a dress? Those are too pretty NOT to wear out!
ReplyDeleteive a bad washer habit....100 year old soft toys , teddies in they go !!! dont kill much , and with with victorian and edwardian linens a bit of bleach and boiling works wonders
ReplyDeletebeautiful!! love the green
ReplyDeletewww.fashionistastyle1.blogspot.com
this nightie is wonderful on you! the details are absolutely adorable ...
ReplyDeleteIt makes me a little sad that what people used to wear to bed are now fancier then what most people wear day to day! I LOVE all your vintage sleep wear, but the green one is my favourite. It's just perfect with your dark hair Vix xoxox
ReplyDeleteYou wear them so well! I would never have thought they were nighties in disguise! I have 1 very long one and a short blue one that has lovely pleats in the bodice but it's too big in the bust, so in the bed they stay! Lucy from the Carnebetian Army also has a very cute collection!
ReplyDelete