From Day to Night: Styling Maxi Dresses Beyond Bedtime

The best maxi nightwear often blurs the line between "sleepwear" and "loungewear", and a few small styling choices are all it takes to take one from bedtime to daytime.

Add a layer

A light cotton shrug, kimono or denim jacket instantly makes a maxi nighty feel presentable for a balcony breakfast or a quick trip to the gate.

Cinch the waist

A thin fabric belt or drawstring at the waist reshapes a loose maxi into something closer to a day dress silhouette.

Swap the footwear

Simple flat sandals or juttis instead of bedroom slippers change the entire feel of an outfit in seconds.

Pick the right piece for it

Plain or tonal maxis in richer colours transition to daywear more easily than busy prints, which read more clearly as sleepwear.

None of this changes what the garment was designed for - it just means a good maxi nighty gives you more than eight hours of use out of every piece.