Nightshirt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A nightshirt is a special kind of shirt used in sleeping.

It tends to be tighter than the casual shirt - reducing the tendancy to twist while rolling around in ones sleep.

As a bedtime garment, the nightshirt is the successor of a type of long undergarment used by Europeans through the 19th and 20th Century. This undergarment was worn all day under outer clothing. At night the outer clothing was removed, and men and women slept in the long shirt-like garment. This smock was longer for women than for men. Upon arising in the morning, the outer garments were again put on.

The major difference in the use of the nightshirt versus alternatives, such as pajamas, is that it replaces all clothing worn during the day. It is removed after arising and put away for use during the next sleeping period. However it can be kept on when getting up shortly (e.g. to get a drink) or hurriedly, possibly throwing something warmer around one's shoulders.

The nightshirt has seen an increased popularity in certain nightclubs and raves due to its tendancy for being skin tight.