Designer Nightwear for Your Body Shape

By Tamarstylist @tamarstylist

The right clothes can do amazing things for your body - some well-placed stripes, a waist-cinching belt here, a ruffle there... and suddenly even the most boyish figure has curves!

When it comes to lounging or sleeping in style, did you know that just by wearing the right nightwear you can have that same body-sculpting effect on your figure? No surgery or shape wear required!

So whether you're a pear, an apple, an hourglass or a tube shape, here's how to accent your best bits and hide the areas you don't like, all with the help of a well-chosen designer nightwear set...

The Pear

Your Body Shape: As the name suggests, you're top half is smaller than you're bottom half. You have a small bust and waist, but lovely wide hips!

What to Wear: Balance out a disproportionate bust to hip ratio with these nifty tricks - vertical stripes are slimming, whilst horizontal stripes add width, so a nightdress with vertical stripes on the body but horizontal stripes across the bust is perfect! 'Busy' prints work the same as horizontal stripes, so by teaming a printed camisole top with plain pyjama bottoms your figure will instantly look better proportioned.

Our Top Pick:

This long white nightdress by Bodas (£40) has slimming vertical stripes, but diagonal ones across the cups to make a small bust seem larger.

The Apple

Your Body Shape: The opposite of a pear shape, you have an apple figure if your top half is significantly larger than your bottom half - in other words, you have a large bust and waistline, but slim hips.

What to Wear: When it comes to wearing stripes, you want the opposite of what a pear shape should wear - slimming vertical stripes up top, but horizontal stripes on your pyjama shorts or trousers. If you love prints, team a pair of patterned pyjama bottoms with a plain camisole top in a dark, slimming colour. Ideally, opt for tight-fitting garments up top and looser, more floaty garments below.

Our Top Pick:


We love these gorgeous ladies pyjamas from Papinelle - the floral print bottoms and the plain top will balance out your curves to perfection!

The Hourglass

Your Body Shape: Lucky you! You have the figure that most women only dream of, with a large bust and hips but a small waist, hence the name 'hourglass'.

What to Wear: You have a great figure naturally, which means you can get away with pretty much anything! To emphasise your killer curves even more, why not opt for a sexy, slinky black nightdress?

Our Top Pick:


This short and sweet black nightdress in organic silk is totally sexy and it's eco-friendly too!

The Tube

Your Body Shape: You have a boyish figure that's straight up-and-down, with a small bust, narrow hips and a waist that's not particularly defined.

What to Wear: It's easy to add some curves with a little expert know-how! A V-neck shape with a detailed trim such as lace or ruffles will make a small bust seem larger, whilst choosing something with a belt around the waist in a contrasting colour instantly creates the illusion of a smaller waistline!

Our Top Pick:

This pretty white and pink cotton dressing gown from Papinelle has a V-cut neckline to enhance a small bust, and a tie around the middle to create the illusion of a nipped in waist!