The bedgown was essentially a nightgown, but it didn’t always have to be worn that way. They were more popular right before the period of the Revolutionary War. Working women and non-working women had different types, mainly just the material they were made out of was different. Bedgowns for non-working women are made out of quilted silk or linen and the ones for working women were made out of cotton or wool depending on the climate. For example some women who were married to fisherman wore dark plain ones that were made out of wool. The prints were usually striped or none, women were very cautious of making it look like they were wearing furniture covers. They have no collars but a round cut neckline and at the end of the 18th century it changed to have longer, more slender sleeves. Some were pleated but that wasn’t the case with everyone’s, there were some with no pleats as well. It always came below the hip down to at least the mid-hip but it could be longer. It should close easily in the front at the center, a perfect reason for it not to be worn with a stomacher and open.
"The Short gown and Bed gown." Battle Road Clothing & Accoutrements. Web. 01 Jan. 2010.
