Chemise Lingerie: Silk, Lace, Plus Size & Sexy Chemises

A chemise is a short, loose, slip-style nightgown — typically thigh to mid-thigh length, cut straight and unstructured, and worn as sleepwear, lingerie, or a layering piece. It's most often made from silk, satin, lace, or cotton, frequently trimmed with lace and finished with adjustable straps and a low neckline.

Because the cut skims rather than clings, a chemise flatters most body types, which is why it's a lingerie-drawer staple across every size.

Chemise is pronounced "shuh-MEEZ" — a soft "sh" at the start and the stress on the second syllable, which rhymes with "please." The plural, chemises, is "shuh-MEEZ-iz."

It comes from the French word chemise, meaning "shirt" or "smock," which traces back to the Late Latin camisia. Historically the chemise was a plain linen undergarment worn next to the skin to protect outer clothing — only later evolving into the romantic lingerie piece it is today.

Length and intent. A chemise is short — usually thigh to mid-thigh — and leans toward lingerie. A nightgown is longer, knee- to ankle-length, with fuller coverage and a sleep-first focus, available in everything from cotton to silk.

Choose a chemise for short, versatile, lingerie-leaning sleepwear; a nightgown for length and coverage.

A chemise is a soft, slip-style nightgown made as sleepwear or lingerie. A slip is a fitted, bias-cut slip dress — cleaner and more minimal, designed as a layering piece or to be worn out as clothing. A chemise is softer and more decorative; a slip is sleeker and more functional.

A chemise is straight-cut and skims the body from bust to hem. A babydoll is short and flared, with a fitted bust and a loose A-line hem that ends higher on the hip — flirtier and more playful. Choose a chemise for an elegant slip silhouette, a babydoll for bust emphasis and flare.

Length and drama. A chemise is short and easy; a negligee is long, flowing, often sheer, and the most romantic of the sleepwear family — frequently sold as a peignoir set with a matching robe. Choose a chemise for everyday versatility, a negligee for statement romance and bridal occasions.

It depends on the effect you want. Silk is the most luxurious and temperature-regulating. Satin gives silk-like shine for less. Lace is the most romantic and lingerie-forward. Cotton and linen are the most breathable and everyday.

For a piece to keep for years, choose silk; for romance, lace; for everyday comfort, cotton.

Silk is a natural fiber — breathable, temperature-regulating, and the most premium, priced accordingly. Satin is usually a synthetic weave that mimics silk's glide and shine at a lower cost but breathes less. Choose silk for year-round comfort and luxury, satin for the look on a budget.

Yes — cleaner satin and silk chemises double beautifully as a slip dress. Wear one on its own, layer it under a blazer or over a fitted tee, or style it like a slip dress. Solid colors and minimal lace read most "daytime"; sheer and heavily-laced styles stay lingerie-leaning.

Yes. Our plus size chemise edit is designed for curves from the start — supportive bust construction, generous through the hip, and fabrics with strong recovery, in the same silk, satin, lace, and cotton styles as the core edit, up to size 4X.

There's more across the plus size lingerie collection.

It's a comfort and coverage choice. A chemise can be worn on its own, or with coordinating briefs or a thong — especially helpful under sheer or lace styles. If a chemise has no built-in bust support and you want shape, a strapless or low-back bra works under many cuts.

Most chemises use general apparel sizing (XS–XL, 1X–4X), so your normal dress size is the best starting point. For non-stretch silk and satin, size up if you're between sizes; stretch lace and jersey are more forgiving. Look for adjustable straps to fine-tune length and bust placement.

Hand wash silk and lace in cool water with a silk-safe or pH-neutral detergent, never wring, and lay flat or hang to dry. Cotton and satin blends can go in a mesh bag on a cold delicate cycle. Never use bleach, fabric softener, or a hot dryer — heat ruins drape and elastic faster than anything else.

HauteFlair's chemise collection features silk, satin, lace, and cotton chemises in sexy, bridal, and plus-size styles, in inclusive sizes XS–4X — from everyday sleepwear to statement lingerie.

Browse the full edit above, or explore the broader luxury lingerie and lingerie collections. HauteFlair ships in discreet packaging within 24–72 hours in the U.S. and offers returns on unworn items with tags attached.