Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber are both wearing it: “Grandma nightgowns” have actually become the newest It dress — are you on board?

If your closet is already full of Babydoll Dresses, lace, and romantic dresses this summer, don’t put them away just yet: the fashion world doesn’t seem ready to say goodbye to this softness. From Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber to Olivia Rodrigo, It Girls have recently been wearing dresses that look a little like “grandma nightgowns.” With loose silhouettes, delicate lace, embroidery, and airy cotton fabrics, the “Nightie Dress” has quietly become the next dress keyword to know.

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From the bedroom to the street, the “Nightie Dress” has suddenly taken off

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As its name suggests, the Nightie Dress is inspired by traditional nightgowns. It’s not as sexy or body-hugging as a Slip Dress. Instead, it often features loose cuts, cotton fabric, lace trim, embroidery, ruffles, and puff sleeves, even deliberately retaining a touch of that vintage “grandma nightgown” feel.

Interestingly, this seemingly less polished sense of ease has recently become a favorite among It Girls. Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, and Olivia Rodrigo have all worn similar silhouettes, while brands including Chloé, Miu Miu, and Victoria Beckham have brought airy, lingerie-inspired designs to the runway. What was once a romantic silhouette for the bedroom has made its way into everyday wardrobes.

After the Babydoll Dress, romantic dresses still haven’t cooled off

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The Nightie Dress’s rise isn’t as sudden as it may seem. From Balletcore and Coquette in recent seasons to this year’s Babydoll Dress and Dôen-style Romantic Dressing, fashion has continued to fall back in love with lace, embroidery, bows, and a retro girlish feel. This time, though, the silhouette is more relaxed.

Compared with dresses that require deliberate styling, the Nightie Dress may be most appealing for its “not trying too hard” feel. It’s like casually slipping on a pretty nightgown just after waking up: pair it with ballet flats for a romantic look, or switch to sneakers, loafers, or a large leather bag to tone down the sweetness.

Could the next It Dress be in your grandma’s closet?

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If the Babydoll Dress is romance with a girlish spirit, the Nightie Dress is like its more relaxed, grown-up version. It doesn’t need a cinched waist or perfect proportions; even a few wrinkles and a vintage feel become part of its appeal. It’s no wonder that as the polished Clean Girl aesthetic begins to loosen up, fashion has fallen back in love with pieces that look “a little old, a little loose, a little like sleepwear.” So the next time you see a white cotton nightgown, don’t be too quick to leave it at home: Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber have already worn theirs out.

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