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The Nightdress: Gothic Edition

Written by

Sarah Sheehan

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Today is World Goth Day. To celebrate, this post is devoted to that staple of gothic romance and horror, the gothic nightdress.

Film poster for Crimson Peak featuring Mia Wasikowska standing on red-stained snow, in an 1890s white nightdress, and holding a candelabra, with a sinister mansion in the background
Advance poster for Crimson Peak (2015) Costume designer: Kate Hawley. Image: eBay.

The gothic nightdress features prominently in the new Nosferatu (2024), Robert Eggers’ long-anticipated re-imagining of F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922). Costume designer Linda Muir (Exotica, Lilies, The Northman) was nominated for an Oscar for her exquisite costumes for the film, which is set in 1838 Germany.

The wardrobe department created different versions of Ellen Hutter’s nightdress to suit different contexts, like the outdoor sequence seen below. (Read or listen to an interview with Linda Muir here.)

French film poster for Robert Eggers' Nosferatu with the shadow of a tall vampire on a billowing curtain and standing to face him, a young woman wearing a short-sleeved white nightdress
International poster for Nosferatu (2024) Costume designer: Linda Muir. Image: franceinfo.
Film still of a barefoot young woman wearing a long-sleeved white nightdress and descending the stairs from a dark entryway
Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) in Nosferatu (2024) Costume designer: Linda Muir. Image: Linda Muir.

Emma Collins of Blue Fine Goods has a digital pattern for an 1830s chemise similar to the one worn by Lily-Rose Depp in Nosferatu.

Detail photo of a handmade white cotton chemise with short sleeve, gusset, and square neckline
Hand-sewn chemise made from Blue Fine Goods’ 1830s chemise pattern (2020) Image: Emma Collins.

For an earlier take on the gothic nightdress, there’s American Duchess’ Outlander-inspired 18th-century chemise:

Photo of a barefoot model in a white chemise with ruffle trim at the neckline and sleeves
Simplicity 8162 by American Duchess (2016): 18th-century chemise inspired by Outlander. Image: Simplicity.

Most evocative of the gothic is this ethereal nightdress from Arkivestry, with ribbon tie and lace trim.

Happy World Goth Day!

Photo of a model in a long-sleeved ivory nightdress with gathered neckline, against a dark, forest backdrop and with the text: Simplicity Pattern 2777
Alternate photo for view A of Simplicity 2777 by Arkivestry (2008) Image: Simplicity.
Pattern envelope photo of a barefoot model in a long-sleeved ivory nightdress by Arkivestry, against a dark, forest backdrop
View A of Simplicity 2777 by Arkivestry (2008) Image: Simplicity.
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3 responses to “The Nightdress: Gothic Edition”

  1. Sox Avatar
    Sox

    That is an impressively used gusset in Emma Collins’ chemise. I’m going to have to have a close look at that pattern to see the other interesting features it contains.

    I really like your posts.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Sheehan Avatar
      Sarah Sheehan

      That gusset is really something, isn’t it?
      Thanks so much, Sox, I’m so glad you enjoy them.

      Reply
  2. Linda of Lányos Handmade / Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! Avatar
    Linda of Lányos Handmade / Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!

    They all are very pretty… although they might suit a “damsel in distress” better than me! 😉

    Reply

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