Not Your Granddaughter’s Nightgown

First we have to discuss what one wears to bed.....There's got to be some personality quiz somewhere based on that.  I for one, would not be caught in a nightgown, it is just not me.

Contradictions? The biggest one is what is happening in the financial world...it was too much debt that started all the problems To solve it, they are trying to create more debt. it's like giving more drugs to the drug addict to ease his pain...

Separately, in the chinese news, a spider had crawled into a woman's ear. It was flushed out but the warning is out that extreme heat can cause a spider to seek refuge

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8514124

Maybe the spider was trying to communicate : "silk" said the spider"is what flies take their last sleep in"

And,a thought I had as a youngster. Watching a spider swing back and forth, on a single thread until he made contact, and could start a web,could not eat. A life lesson. Especially useful starting a business.

Spring Fragrance ~ As always a goldmine of interesting comments, but you avoided describing your night attire.
If my night attire needed a monogram, it would have to be a tattoo. For the sake of decency, I do own a couple of white towelling dressing gowns, which are cosy in cool weather and a lovely kimono - a gift that friends bought me from a holiday in Japan - ideal for very warm days. I've always been a bit casual about clothing, but it is advisable to put something on before answering the door to a caller.
 

Knock,knock...

Skivvies

Pajamas are what we leave next to the Bed in case of Fire .......

Hazel, perhaps the omission was intended, metaphorically.....
unless it gets too cold and then, I do have a short kimono

RY, Confucius say passionate kiss like spider's web, it leads to undoing of the fly.

and more from the sage....Sign seen on naughty pyjamas " Confucius say : Seven minus one equals dinner for two"

IVAN!! That is EXACTLY what my Dad used to say!!! The commando trend seems to be in force at this opening juncture.

....and ChefDeb? .......

skivvies who?

I always thought the etymology of "going commando" had something to do with being ready for action or maybe even "It's a jungle out there" (days before manscaping and the female version whatever it is called) but I just read it started in the army, to prevent chafing. It was supposed to be common during the Vietnam war - anyone has a personal war time story?

Ivan...yes, that would be good; otherwise, you might have your own personal burning bush experience

I was just thinking, as I was reading the new Peterman catalogue and saw a beautiful nightgown, one similar to those that I used to own and wear, that we could describe the different ages and stages of women and marriage by their bedtime gear.  Young and newly married, beautiful gown sets, further on, the aforementioned: commando.  And then, as the children got older, pajamas and flannel nightgowns until finally, an assortment of old, tired t- shirts that are just so comfy.   

Mr. P.'s Victorian Nightgown would make wonderful loungewear (or something to wear if there's a fire), but for me, white just is not a good color. One step with a cup of coffee, one blueberry in a pancake, a lovely runny egg yolk......Jackson Pollock.

ANDY what a perfect description of life progression through sleepwear. George Carlin had a wonderful routine where he brought out a box of "schmattas" and talked about how women dressed up to go away from home to work, shop, etc but then he showed hilarious examples of what they actually wore at home.

Having been raised by someone who considered herself somewhere between Gloria Swanson and Madonna, I am no stranger to spectacular "at home" loungewear. I tend to the simpler tee-shirtish style myself.

Victoria Nightgown ... be it must, ivory snow soft....with lots of ruffles glitzed with lots of ruching..the Peterman catalog illustration "A Night off the Town," fits this fabric touching...feel,...***Tommy Typical keep up the good work...in staying in character...as the Catepillar sitting on a beaten gold throne..don't let the hooka...smoking technique cause you to get dizzy, or fall like a humpty dumpty or cause you at the very least forget your lines...; you can always improvise..for sure... it may prove to be.... all too exoctic for you..but keep up the good work and entertain the heck out of the audience...your character is sure to delight..all; Cheers to your cast and play acting....Greygoose the dewpaws on my pet husky wolf are quite large, I may say....so...I try not to hug her... too often, she sheds terribly...not a house pet...at all.....exited out to the the mall mirage in a nice brown and white pattern ruching tailored dress...with a neon orange polka dot belt..there is actual darts in the dress....! Queen Victoria...and the age of an empire....of Lords...and quality hand sewn clothing...let me dream...afternoon tea and roses...flaunting peacocks...and manicured secret gardens...

>>>and manicured secret gardens<<<< are we talking about Brazilia/manscaping again?

Ah!  It's a beauty, that's for sure....too pretty to muss up in sleep, though.   My preference is a man's button down shirt.....button/unbutton as needed, roll the sleeves up.........Perfect to wear as you enjoy that first cup of coffee and the perfectly runny yolk egg and toast/jam.

Chef Deb ~ When George Carlin was unmedicated, he was funny; even when he was medicated.  I too am a magnet for all things that will stain.  Things have been known to cross the room, dodging everyone else's pristine clothing, going around and under table legs and people, to attach my shirt front.  I must buy pre-treatment stuff for the laundry in the Gian Economy size.  At Starbucks, my own beloved Java Chip (light) Frappacino jumped from the straw onto my t-shirt.  I've learned to always have something, a book, something to carry in front of me. Victoria Nightgown for that photo-op that I just know will one day be there, but until then........sweats and t's.

my fingers are skipping letters, so sorry -- that would be 'Giant' with a 't'

Mr. Peterman - back to denim -- why not make the denim blazer available in women's sizes?

When I was but a sweet young thing of nineteen (many decades ago), my dear
grandmother discovered to her horror that I was sleeping in the nude. Not one
to preach, she tried dissuasion. and then simply began giving me sleepwear
for birthdays and Christmas gifts. This proved useless and was discontinued in
favor of what she and I knew I really wanted, books and art supplies. We were
very close for many wonderful years. When she died at age 96, I felt cheated to
have only known her for fifty years. A few months ago, I was preparing to move
and I opened a dusty box in the back of a closet. There it was - all these years
later - a nightgown from my grandmother. I still sleep in the nude, but then my
grandmother was never one to surrender a cause easily. I miss her so.

A long time couple close to my bride and myself (me...I) had this very conversation concerning night time sleeping attire. My buddy said he assumes his alter ego after 8:00 pm. He changes his name to "Buck Nekkid". I must add this, when I envisioned his nude "other self", I hurled up that sour stuff necessary for digestion. I'm no Dash Riprock looks wise, but this dude looks like 370 pounds of poorly chewed bubble gum in a 5 foot 11 inch tall plastic garbage bag.

Ivan, I'm in your camp.  In hot weather PJs are for when you have house guests, or camping, or for keeping next to the bed in case of emergencies that force you out of the house.
 
RY that's what I got out of the secret garden bit, great minds...
 
Spring Fragrance...WHY did you have to post that story about the spider?!?! Ick, ick, ick, I'm going to be paranoid all day.
 
Now, curiously, I wish I could leave work and go home to crawl back under the duvet for a mid morning nap.  *sigh*

RY---"fly, fly again????"
 
Carol---a man's oversized shirt is what I wear to schlump around the house in.
 
Spring---my fav Confuscious "sayings" are "Man who fly upside down over Eiffel Tower bound to have nasty crack up." and "Man who fart in church sitting on pew."
 
As for contridictions, I find that dressing down for daytime, where one will be seen, and dresing up for bed, where one will not be seen (unless by their significant other, then they preferably wouldn't be wearing anything, or would be wearing layers that were s-l-o-o-o-o-o-w-l-y removed), to be a contridiction in and of itself!
 
Where's lotlot this morning? 

Ah, Spring, your Confucius sayings gave me that remembering smile.  Thank Up.
 
Takes too long to get into pjs.  Leave the man's shirt and a robe by the bed.  You can get them on while you're running.

Thank ye kindly Ivy...

As with most things in my life, I mix if up. I must be cool to sleep so no above the waist sleepwear ever...I range from native to festive boxers to some Tibetan pants that make me feel early David Carradine-like...

To JP's ?- To me one of the greatest contradictions is that having once tasted individual freedom and its thrilling danger; that so many fall back on the comfort of the collective way way too easy.

Where are the rebellious youth of the 1960s and 1970s?  Where are the flower children?  Why, they are on Wall Street...not protesting but buying and selling.  They are in Washington, D.C., but not protesting; they're in Congress or (ye gods!) the White House (and yes, he DID inhale...I know that for a fact!!!!).  They aren't in their muscle cars...thery're in SUVs and luxury sedans.  Their granny dresses have been traded for evening gowns and their denim bell bottoms for Armani tuxedos.  Contradiction?  Try "growing  old!"  Or perhaps that's better as an oxymoron...

Nightgowns are definitely for me, and I have a large collection,  but they have no sleeves, just strappy things over the shoulder,  and in general less in the way of fabric than what's in Mr. P's lovely gown.  The Peterman gown's fabric is perfectly simple and cottony and I'd wear something in that fabric in a heartbeat, but the style is less wearable (for me) -- but for someone else, I'm sure it would provide the ultimate in contradiction, sleepwear-wise.  I was destined for simpler styles, just like in daywear- too much fuss bothers me.  Which I guess is why I admire - covet - menswear.

Tawny how wonderful that you got 50 years to spend with your grandmother!  I got 10 and 12 years respectively with each of mine and I still feel cheated.

Welcome Tawney to the Village!  May you have many happy exchanges!

Note, the new photo is already one I've uploaded.  It's just a holding place until I get new doggie photos ready.
 
I WILL be uploading family photos.  Be sure to check out my 80 year young Mom!  She's just had a titanium screw implanted in her head in the photo (thus the wonky bandage) so she can "hear" via conductance of sound through a Baha device attached to the screw, then through the bone in her head.  She had been deaf in that ear since she was 8 years of age...now she can tell directionality, hear nuances she never heard before, all sorts of differences.
 
My Mom.  She's the BEST!

Here's a thought (hope you're not eating) when those Victorian Era Night clothes were originally worn,  there were no indoor,er, conveniences

I do believe I've run out of things to say that are germain this place, at least for the time being so I'l catch ya on the flip-side 'till i stumble across something. Meanwhile and far away, i'll be in my usual spot on the caboos' back platform of thesepia, howling at the moon as it hurtles through when and where.

Peace out, .......later gators.......afterwhile crocodiles...........

Tawny - what a lovely story, I can only hope my own grandchildren feel the same. As well, a person after my heart........"books and art supplies".

Peter, please don't leave us!

 Do you have the game on?

Peter~ I have days like that - Goodness sakes, I want to see you prancing around in a Victorian nightdress! I do agree that the page has been a bit flat of late, but who's to blame for that? Not you for sure, your contributions are always amusing and welcome.
 

PL since when did having a comment relavent to the subject stop anyone?  Please come back, I need you all to keep me awak through 5 more hours of work on a mind-numbingly slow day with nothing to do but sit and wait.

Ah Peter......not right

Shane....Shane....

RY I am betting Queen Victoria had indoor conveniences.....not so convenient for the staff however!

One would think that talking about what we wear to bed might be a more exciting topic.  As for me, over sized t-shirts are my favorite. As lovely as the Victorian nightgown is, I'm sure it would just gete all twisted up around my middle sometime during the night and I would get stuck.  Sharing the bed with a man and two cats, I have to stay flexible.

"I shot an Elepant in my pajamas...How he got into my pajams I dunno..."  Groucho

Thank you my friends, i just need to be absent for a little whileto focus on some other stuff. Those who know me know i can't be gone long. As The Vulgons are fond of saying, when it comes to the EyE, 'resistance is futile'.

There is nuthin' to worry 'bout here folks,....so carry on....... And play nice!

John

Ok, folks, let's be honest about those Victorians--the ones that could afford a "lovely" like the cotton, lacy fluff advertised.  They were a true conterdiction unto themselves.  Prudish on the outside and utterly risque in what they pretended to be secret.  Come now, connecting bedrooms or midnight scampers through the halls.  Wife swapping was not a 1970s invention; it just wasn't "talked about" particularly in the 1880s era.  And for the men this was really a time of mistresses, in many cases the other fellows wife who could misbehave as the mistress but had been taught that her husband should think of her as a woman who allowed him his needs but was above the ways of wicked women.   True fact: some young brides were actually given a vile of laudamum.  They were to drink it just before getting into the marriage bed and tell the groom that he could therefore "have his way with" her, yet only a few years later she is slipping off for an afternoon with someone elses husband.  Diaries tell wicked truths.   

....or...diaries tell wicked fantasies......just as today there are those who draw elaborate fantasies concerning their doctors or spiritual advisors, there were then as well.   Sheesh!  Look at the number of stalkers we hear about today....I'm sure their diaries (if one were kept) would detail meetings and liasons that in actuality, never happened.   So, the ultimate contradiction is between truth and fantasy.......both in the diary and the bedroom wardrobe.

Dreadfully to be running so late ... this has been an exciting day, that I will be glad to tell y'all about when the smoke clears .......
 
Meantime, Let me Wish y'all a Great Weekend, and Good Weather to enjoy it in !!!!!!!
 
 
To Those of You Who Do:  GOOD   SHABBOS !!!!!!!
 
I Wish You a Sabbath of Peace, Joy, and Good Rest .......
 
"When You Have Eaten Until You Are Full, ... THEN .......
Praise The Lord For the Good That He Has Given You ..."
 
May Our Rest Be Pleasing Unto Him Who Created Us .......
 
Blessings Upon You All ...
 
 
IVAN
 

Night night Ivan - and blessings to you.

There was a lady from DiJonwho went to bed with nothing on;she said I know its risky, but I like to be friskyin the hours twix dusk and dawn.

"May Our Rest Be Pleasing Unto Him Who Created Us"  If it pleases him I hope to get plenty of rest this weekend.  Have been tired all week and can't seem to shake it, maybe one or two days of sleeping in will help.

Good Sabbath, Ivan!
 
By the time of Queen Victoria they did indeed have indoor conveniences, at least those who could afford it did.  The toilet was actually developped during Queen Elizabeth I's reign and presented to her by a gentleman named, yep...you guessed it....John.
 
Oh the Victorians were not risque, they were downright dirty dancing!  The stories you read!  Wow!

I salute you for your sweet, naivete, Carol, and will admit that some diaries may be fantasy, but it is not from dianries alone that one learns of the adventures of the upper-upper class of the mid and late Victorian era.  Having had a grandmother who was part if it, though quite young (born 1878) I heard stories and met people who vouched for them.  There are also well researched books out on the wealthy of the time.  I'm looking for some of the titles now.

such a wonderful read, and educational too ! whispering spiders and silk <nice>.
I have always been most comfortable in a thin cotten oversized T. Flannel sheets in the winter and silk in the summer.

Again, Ivan, thank you and Good Shabbos to you and yours too.

IVAN, IVAN, IVAN........................blessings right back!
 
PL............................(in my best Stanley to Stella voice, )"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo................................................."
 
 

Please don't be gone too long Southsider.  Or I'll burst out in tears and I'll get all soggy all over the keyboard, and my computer will blow up and then I won't have one, and so when you do come back, say, in a few days, then I won't know it.  And you won't know I won't know it, and you'll think, I guess she left, but I won't have, I'll just be here sitting and staring at a blank black screen and wondering how my favorite Southsider is doing, and thinking I wish I could ask him, "what's up?"........... So should I start crying now, or will you behave and be real soon?  Consider all the repercussions your decision will have....;) XX

Blessings to you, Ivan.  Always.  And ask WHOMEVER to watch over PL until his safe and speedy return.

And then there were none...................................

Knock, knock.  Who's there? Skivvies. Skivvies who? Skivvies guys one more drink and send 'em home in a cab.  I think Foster Brooks said that.

Ginger, so wonderful for your mom. My mom had torn eardrums from Reumatic fever as a child. I bought her aides but her hearing was not good at all. Your post reminded me of my precious mom. I know you cherish yours. Enjoy all the time you have with her.

I have to say, after reading the posts this late pm, I laughed out loud so hard, family was wondering what was going on?  THANKS Villagers. SLeep well and be happy:)

Thanks Paolos, I knew some one would anwer the door....'cause The Blind Man (another great joke) was just waiting.....

Oh, and for those not knowing that one, ....It was bath day in the Convent, and upon hearing a knock upon the door, the one in the tub asked "Who is it?" and upon hearing  "The Blind Man" sprang from the tub, without a towel, or robe, (or Victorian 'nightie') and answered the door, only to receive the Convents' Venetian blinds from Alfredo, and Petros......

For all that I've decried the use of nighties, I now have a confession...I LOVE Victorian nightgowns.  And for those of you who have never tried it, they even wear well as dresses!  Just put a wide belt on along with a jacket and those little ballet flats, just the right accessories and the derby or equestrian har and PRESTO! one rather chic (although avant garde) outfit!

Har?  I'm sure you're all saying that about my posting!
 
It was supposed to be "hat!!!"

Hazel leese explains it wonderfully! You go girl!!!!! Just joined this site. Hope you guys are fun

What's better than the feel of soft skin softly against soft cotton or silk? Wow