The bed jacket is a lightweight

jacket A jacket is a garment for the upper body, usually extending below the hips. A jacket typically has sleeves and fastens in the front or slightly on the side. Jackets without sleeves are vests. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and ...

worn to cover the chest, shoulders and arms while sitting up in bed. Its short length and

cape A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment of any length that hangs loosely and connects either at the neck or shoulders. They usually cover the back, shoulders, and arms. They come in a variety of styles and have been used th ...

-like cut allows for it to be put on (or removed) while reclining. Originating in the 17th century as a garment worn for warmth, bed jackets could be home-made, from practical materials such as knitted

wool Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have some properties similar to animal w ...

flannel Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of varying fineness. Flannel was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber. Flannel is commonly used to make tartan clothing, blankets, ...

cotton Cotton (), first recorded in ancient India, is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure ...

, or more expensive garments designed to exchange a measure functionality for elegance. They were popularized in 1930s playboy films, featuring glamorous settings and female starlets lounging languorously in silken bedrooms. Such bed jackets were often made from sheer or lacy fabrics and displaying very feminine trimmings and details, considered an alluring item rather than used for warmth or modesty. Ostrich feather tips, swan’s down, pleated

tulle Tulle (; ) is a Communes of France, commune in central France. It is the third-largest town in the former region of Limousin and is the capital of the Departments of France, department of Corrèze, in the Regions of France, region of Nouvelle- ...

and shirred lace were just a few examples of the extravagant materials that could be used in creating these confections. File:Godey's lady's book (1840) (14582736030).jpg, 1840s drawing File:Bed jacket MET CI41.25.2 F.jpg, 1870s cotton bed jacket File:Bed jacket MET 1975.227.25 F.jpg, 1880s wool bed jacket File:Bedjasje Bedjas van roze zijde met kraag en strik versierd met stikwerk, BK-1997-83 (cropped).jpg, 1930s silk bed jacket File:Bedjacket.JPG, Modern lace bed jacket

Related garments

* The Nightingale mantle, a type of shawl from the mid-19th century, later said to be named after the nurse

Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale (; 12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was an English Reform movement, social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during th ...

Lee, Heather (Vaughan). 2017. “Wrapped in Comfort.” ''Piecework'' 25 (1): 43–48. * Dressing gown * Peignoir, a long, thin robe * Sleeved blanket

References

{{Nightwear Nightwear Jackets Robes and cloaks