2 weeks Ago By Joy Montgomery
You might remember the “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” slogan tee that went viral back in 2014 – you know, the one that was snapped on Emma Watson, Alexa Chung, Lena Dunham and, erm, Ed Miliband. (Perhaps the demise of that particular brand of hashtag feminism isn’t such a mystery after all.) Well, after witnessing the number of so-called “granny” trends that have taken over this year, the question on my mind right now is: “What does a granny look like?” If fashion circles are any indication, the modern granny uniform comprises orthopaedic flats, silk headscarves, knitted cardigans and ankle-length pleated skirts – all of which you’re as likely to see on a 20-something Dalstonite as an actual OAP.
Which brings us to one of summer 2025’s key dress trends: the “granny” nightie. Championed on the runways by the likes of Miu Miu and Chloe, and beloved by It-girls (Alexa Chung is famously a fan) and Vogue editors alike, the granny nightie is defined by its light, cottony fabric, loose-fitting silhouette and whimsical details, such as ribbons, lace and broderie anglaise. The style may resemble the sorts of frocks you see advertised in packs of five in knitting magazines, but the secret to its success lies in the execution and, of course, the styling.
Vogue ’s fashion features director, Julia Hobbs, has pledged her allegiance to the nightie dress this season, styling her ruffled, broderie anglaise cotton minidress with bug-eyed sunnies and silver jewellery in LA. “I have an alternate ‘summer self’ – she will wear a house dress that’s little more than a nightie with bare feet (and Clairo blasting),” Hobbs explains. “Recently, I’ve been living in a white satin babydoll from Petra Collins’s witty I’m Sorry label.
The mood is very: grown-up girlhood.” Indeed, there is more than a hint of The Virgin Suicides to this trend – a stark departure from the navel-baring, thigh-hugging Y2K silhouettes that have proliferated in recent seasons. Part girlish, part granny, apparently we are craving sartorial tropes that bring us comfort (both emotional and physical) right now; a cottagecore fantasy to take us away from the doom-scrolling and the dystopian news headlines.
But while the nightie dress may represent a bucolic daydream, modern styling is all about bringing it back down to earth. Fashion journalist Harling Ross, who recently launched a capsule collection of nightie-inspired dresses with If Only If, emphasises the importance of structure when styling the look. “[Nightie-style dresses] feel both innately personal and effortless, qualities that are often hard to pin down when putting together an outfit,” she explains.
“Structured shoes (loafers, chunky sandals), a smattering of jewellery, and a bag with gravitas (like something made of suede or leather) are always reliable tools for grounding a nightgown firmly in the realm of daywear.” Doen, Rixo and Reformation are all reliable options for those in search of a nightie dress. Check out Rixo’s Neroni dress or Doen’s classic Marianne shirred style if you’re reluctant to go entirely shapeless.
However, for that true “old-lady-standing-on-the-deck-of-the-Titanic-clutching-the-Heart-of-the-Ocean” vibe, you can’t go wrong with a classic loose-fitting style with an abundance of embroidery and lace: see Damson Madder’s Elspeth style. Also, make sure to check out vintage iterations on Etsy and eBay (“vintage Edwardian nightie dress” is a good search term to try). OAPs never looked so chic.
Scroll down to see and shop Vogue ’s edit of the best granny nightie dresses. Shop the granny nightie dress trend.
