When you think of a nightgown, the first image that comes into your mind might be of the kind of sleepwear you’ve seen your grandmother wear. However, nightgowns don’t have to look dowdy and old-fashioned. In fact, many nightgowns on the current sleepwear market are very sexy. Some nightgown styles are anything but modest and can even double as lingerie. What could be better than sexy lingerie that you can sleep comfortably in all night long?

Two common types of sexy, fashionable lingerie nightgowns are babydolls and chemises. These nightgown lingerie styles look very similar and many women aren’t even sure what the difference is between them. Both babydoll Lingerie and chemises Lingerie are sleeveless nightgowns that are generally designed to be both sexy and comfortable. While many babydolls and chemises are almost identical to each other, there are subtle identifiers that make each style unique.

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Babydoll Lingerie

Babydolls are sleeveless and generally feature very thin straps. These nightgowns are usually very short. They almost never fall past the middle of your thighs. Babydolls are cut to be form- fitting around your bust and waist and fit more loosely below your waist. Their fabric varies depending on the style and design of the particular garment, but babydolls are commonly made from lightweight, semi-transparent materials such as chiffon.

Chemises Nightgown

Chemises include the same thin straps as babydoll Lingerie. In terms of length, they vary much more than babydolls. While babydoll lingerie usually falls somewhere in the middle or upper area of your thigh, chemises can be many different lengths and fall anywhere from your hips to your knees. Regardless of their length, chemises are form-fitting from top to bottom in most cases. They don’t fit tightly around your body, but they don’t flow as loosely as babydolls do. Chemises are usually made from satin or silk materials.

Both babydolls and chemises are great options for sexy nightgown lingerie. While each style generally falls in line with the parameters above, individual pieces vary widely in terms of their material, construction, and detailed accents that make them unique. If you want to buy nightgown lingerie but are having trouble deciding whether you should be scouring online stores for a babydoll or for a chemise, there are a few things you can consider to help you make your decision.

1. Think About Your Body

Your body type can make or break your decision to buy either a babydoll or a chemise. Although these two types of nightgown lingerie look very similar, they fit your body differently and one style might be significantly more flattering for you than the other.

If you have an hourglass figure or want to show off your curves just the way they are, the form-fitting style of a chemise will emphasize and enhance the natural shape of your body. Because babydolls fit more loosely below the waist than chemises do, they are better at concealing your tummy or love handles. Because they are fitted at the top, babydolls still show off your bust and waistline to create a sexy finish for your look.

While determining how each style will look on your body can help narrow your decision to buy either a chemise or a babydoll, you shouldn’t feel pressured to buy one style over another just because of your body type and shape. It cannot be stressed enough that the most important thing to consider when shopping for nightgown lingerie—or any lingerie—is how confident you feel in it.

2. Consider Practicality for Babydoll Lingerie or a Chemise

Before you buy a babydoll Lingerie or a chemise, think about how you want to wear whichever piece you buy. Do you want to wear your new nightgown lingerie primarily to sleep? Or are you hoping to find the sexiest piece you can? Is your babydoll or chemise going to be a nightly wardrobe staple for you? Or do you plan to only put it on occasionally? Why you want nightgown lingerie and how you plan to use it should be your primary considerations when you’re searching for the right babydoll or a chemise to purchase.

If you want to wear your new lingerie as pajamas every night, you should prioritize its comfort over everything else. Chemises often work better than babydolls as comfortable, practical pajamas. They are made from soft silk or satin materials, which are usually warmer and more comfortable than the sheer material of most babydolls. Also, chemises are commonly available in two-piece pajama sets with matching shorts or pants.

Both babydolls and chemises can be equally great options if your goal is to look as sexy as possible in your new nightgown lingerie. If sex appeal is your top priority, search for pieces that are a bit more revealing. Find a fully sheer babydoll or a chemise that barely skims the tops of your thighs. You can also find babydolls and chemises with details, such as cut-outs, lace-up closures, and more, that add sexy interest to the lingerie. See a wide range of different babydoll and chemise styles in this collection

3. Look Around

Not all babydolls and chemises are created equal. Pieces that all fit into the category of either babydoll or chemise can look completely different from one another. In fact, lingerie designers want to make their pieces as unique as possible to set them apart from the thousands of other choices lingerie shoppers have. Don’t overlook the diversity of nightgown lingerie when you start shopping.

While blindly searching for nightgown lingerie can get extremely overwhelming, try not to narrow down your search too quickly. Give a wide range of styles a chance and try to consider pieces that are slightly out of your comfort zone or different than the lingerie you usually wear. If you’re shopping online, use some of these professional tips by 50 fashion and lingerie experts to help aim your search in the right direction.