What Women Really Slept in at Night in 1950 — Naked, Dressed, or Braless?
Sweety Karlak
The 1950s were a decade of elegance, structure, and routine. Fashion, home life, and beauty standards were strongly influenced by Hollywood, modesty, and traditional households. Nightwear reflected this — soft, feminine, graceful, and designed for comfort while still appearing “put together.”
This blog covers how most women slept in 1950, what they wore, and why certain choices were popular.
1. Nightgowns — The Most Popular Choice of 1950
65% of women slept in nightgowns
Nightgowns were the heart of 1950s sleepwear. Most women preferred:
soft cotton or satin nightgowns
lace trim
pastel colours
modest coverage
Nightgowns were loved because they were:
breathable
feminine
elegant
easy to move in
affordable and widely available
2. Pajama Sets — Classic, Modest, Comfortable
45% wore traditional pajama sets
Pajamas in 1950 were usually:
button-up tops
loose long pants
cotton or flannel fabrics
Women chose them for:
warmth
modesty in shared homes
durability
comfort during colder months
3. Sleeping With Slips or Undershirts
30% slept in slips or undershirts
Many women went to bed wearing:
their daily slips
camisoles
lightweight undershirts
This was due to:
habit
modesty
convenience (wearing what they already had on)
4. Sleeping in Underwear Only — Less Common
15% slept in only their undergarments
In 1950, this was less common due to household structure and shared living spaces.
Women who did usually preferred:
cotton briefs
soft undershirts
lightweight undergarments for hot weather
5. Sleeping Without a Bra — Mostly Common at Home
55% slept without a bra
Contrary to myths, many women did remove bras at home during sleep, especially soft-cup bras.
Reasons:
comfort
avoiding pressure
improving sleep
preventing marks
However, because bras were associated with “decency,” some women still kept them on.
6. Sleeping With a Bra — Habit or Modesty
20–25% slept with bras on
Reasons women kept bras on:
strict modesty norms
shared bedrooms in large families
habit from shaping garments
feeling “proper” or supported
Women who wore bras typically chose soft, wireless bullet bras at night.
7. House Dresses as Sleepwear
18% repurposed house dresses for sleeping
Not everyone had separate sleepwear. Many used:
older house dresses
worn cotton frocks
simple shift dresses
This was economical, especially for large families.
8. Robes and Dressing Gowns — Evening Essentials
Robes were popular because:
they offered privacy at home
kept women warm
added a polished appearance
Most women wore them over gowns or slips.
9. Fabrics Women Preferred in 1950
Key fabrics:
cotton (most common)
flannel (for winter)
satin (for luxury)
rayon (affordable alternative)
nylon (new, trendy fabric of the decade)
Cotton was the nightly staple for most households.
10. How Sleepwear Reflected the 1950s Lifestyle
Women prioritized:
modesty
warmth
practicality
softness
daily routine and homemaking traditions
Sleepwear was part of being “presentable,” even at home.
Final Summary — What Women Slept In (1950)
Most common choices:
65% nightgowns
45% pajama sets
55% braless sleep
20–25% slept with bras
30% slips or undershirts
15% underwear-only sleep
18% slept in repurposed house dresses
1950 was a decade of graceful, modest, soft sleepwear — practical yet feminine.
FAQs — Women’s Sleep Preferences in 1950
1. Did women in 1950 sleep without bras?
Yes. Around 55% did, mainly for comfort. But many still kept bras on out of habit or modesty.
2. What was the most common sleepwear for women?
Nightgowns were the most popular, especially cotton and satin styles.
3. Did women sleep naked in 1950?
Very rarely. Only around 3–5%, mostly during hot climates or in private homes.
4. Were pajama sets popular?
Yes, about 45% wore button-up pajama sets, especially during colder months.
5. Did women use slips as sleepwear?
Yes, slips were convenient and widely used as nighttime wear.
6. What fabrics were most common for sleepwear?
Cotton was the top choice. Rayon, satin, flannel, and nylon were also used.
7. Did women use robes at night?
Absolutely. Robes and dressing gowns were part of the nightly routine.
8. Were bras comfortable in 1950?
Day bras were structured, but night bras (soft cups) were more comfortable.
9. Why did some women sleep with bras in 1950?
Modesty, shared rooms, habit, or the belief that bras shape the bust.
10. Were colorful nightwear trends popular?
Pastels like pink, blue, lilac, and cream were extremely popular.
