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.) After witnessing the sheer number of so-called “granny” trends that have taken over this year, the question on my mind right now is: what does a granny actually look like?
If the fashion crowd is any indication, the modern granny wardrobe incorporates orthopaedic sandals, a silk headscarf, curtain-worthy florals and almond-toe pumps–all of which you’re as likely to see on a 20-something Dalstonite as an actual senior citizen these days. Which brings us to one of summer 2026’s key dress trends: the “granny” nightie.
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Championed on the runways at Chloé, Victoria Beckham and others–and beloved by a roll-call of It-girls that includes Bella Hadid, Alexa Chung, Kaia Gerber, and Olivia Rodrigo–the granny nightie is defined by its lightweight cotton or silk fabric, loose-fitting silhouette and whimsical details, such as ribbons, lace, or broderie anglaise. The secret to keeping it current is, of course, all in the styling.
Vogue contributing editor Julia Hobbs previously told Vogue how she pairs her preferred nightie (a ruffled, broderie anglaise cotton minidress from Petra Collins’s I’m Sorry label) with bug-eye sunnies and silver jewelry when in LA. “The mood is very: grown-up girlhood,” she said at the time.
Indeed, there is more than a hint of The Virgin Suicides to this trend, but modern styling is all about bringing the ethereal look back down to earth. Fashion journalist Harling Ross, who last year launched a capsule collection of nightie-inspired dresses with If Only If, emphasizes the importance of structure when styling the look for 2026. “Structured shoes (loafers, chunky sandals), a smattering of jewelry, 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,” she says.
When shopping the trend, seek out Dôen for broderie anglaise, Free People for modern bohemia, and If Only If for loose, babydoll fits. 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 vintage iterations from sites such as Etsy and eBay (“vintage Edwardian nightie dress” is a good search term). Just keep an eye on fabrics and avoid anything synthetic–classic cottons and silks are not only better in the heat, but they limit the risk of the dreaded static cling.
