Sparkle when you’re sleeping

Hi! There is so much I can say to emphasize on the importance of sleepwear. In 1992, when I decided to start with nightwear for women, I learnt a lot about their habits and their attitude towards this section of the wardrobe. While everyone has a different take on it, the underlying common requirement is comfort.

For me, personally, the earliest memories of sleepwear go back to my childhood. I remember my mother getting new night dresses made for my sister and me at the beginning of the Summer/ Winter season and a couple of new ones before we travelled during our vacations.

I remember some of the designs of my nightwear from the age of when I was, perhaps, five or six years old. Those were mini shift dresses, and my mother would get them tailored with some frills or pin tucks. Then she would embroider simple motifs or floral vines to complete the look. The fabric was always soft cotton for summers and flannel for winters.

Then, we grew up to wear pyjama and top sets, again painstakingly designed by my mother with some soft lace and trims. I distinctly remember a light Pink night suit which I packed for my journey from Calcutta to Ambala Cantt in Deluxe chair car. The ‘Airport look’ may be a new craze today, however, even in the 60’s and 70’s, there was excitement and anticipation before long train journeys. We meticulously planned our clothes for the trip and packed accordingly. During overnight journeys – which was the norm, as we travelled from Tata Nagar to various parts of India, it was mandatory to change into comfortable night suits and snuggle into the bedding, usually on the upper berths!

Yes, we had house coats and dressing gowns to wear on our nighties as we became teenagers. By then I had started designing my wardrobe and magazines like Femina and Eve’s Weekly and the monthly publication Stitch craft were the referrals to go to! A few years ago, I was aghast when I first saw ladies wearing the latest trend of house coats over jeans and spaghetti tops on the High Street in London. It has taken me some time to accept this trend, but I quite enjoy designing and selling these long shrugs and am happy to say that our Ajrakh print and Chanderi block print shrugs are quite a rage with the working women!

When I opened my first store, I discovered that the general mindset of the busy woman had changed. They often said that they wore just about anything to sleep in! This was shocking, to say the least. My venture became more of a personal interaction with them – understanding their viewpoint and gradually introducing them to the concept of changing into comfortable sleep wear at bedtime.

One cannot put enough emphasis on the daily ritual of cleaning your face, feet or having a shower before slipping into the night wear appropriate for the season / occasion and, then, getting a complete rest and waking up fresh the next morning! So, gradually, many clients acquired new habits and I was pleased to learn from them that their husbands had noticed and appreciated the change!

Initially, the requirement was for night dresses that were in dark colours. However, I personally like and suggest soft colours for tranquillity.   Mostly, the ladies would request for short sleeves, whereas my suggestion is always sleeveless or spaghetti straps for more comfort. I understand that the reason for such requirements is mainly because there is staff around in the house and in the summer months one does not want to add layers by wearing a dressing gown. I respect their ideas and like to go along with them. Yes, the weather, the style of our abodes and our lifestyle guide us to choose our garments.

Customized tailoring at Kashvie is all about incorporating your ideas along with suggestions from my knowledge and experience. It has been an interesting journey and designing and executing night wear for various occasions has been challenging and rewarding.

When I started writing this morning, little did I know that I could say so much on this topic!! I am concluding with the thought that I shall continue with more on this essential piece of garment from our wardrobe.

Thank you. Sleep well always!