The babydoll dress received its name from the length of its short hemline. The typical length of this mini dress comes a few inches just above the knees. The babydoll dress originated as a negligee, a popular piece of lingerie during the 1930’s and 40’s. Commonly designed in soft, elegant fabrics, the babydoll was usually designed in silk, satin or chiffon.
It wasn’t until a 1956 movie titled, Baby Doll, starring Carroll Baker as a 19-year old virgin, where the dress came into the spotlight. Although resembling a sexy nightgown, the outfit was worn as a short dress. Soon after, the babydoll dress was openly accepted as a day dress and became a popular, fun and youthful garment.
Later, as fashion began to comfortably bare more skin and lingerie became more risqué, hemlines grew shorter and the babydoll resembled those worn by actual dolls where the buttocks could be seen at a quick bend of the knee. For this reason, the babydoll negligee is usually accompanied by a matching pair of panties to protect its unusual short length. Babydolls were once again considered a highly sought after piece of negligee. This time designs were made sexier, designed in lace or sheer fabrics, and often designed with decorative feminine details like ribbons and bows.
The babydoll dress is also a commonly designed maternity garment. Because of its empire waist and loose fitting flared skirt, it is the perfect outfit for an expanding stomach. Today, the babydoll dress is popular as either a day dress or sexy nightgown and no longer limits itself to one type of garment as the same style can be used as both. Designs vary from spaghetti straps, halter tops, off the shoulder, and even sleeved styles like Allen Allen Heavy Ultra Jersey S/S Scoop Neck Babydoll Dress . Casual babydoll styles are normally found in soft cotton fabrics, while the more elegant styles are still designed in the richer fabrics they were originally designed in years ago.
Source: http://www.anysubject.com/baby-doll-lingerie-babydoll-nightclothes-sexy-...
