How Sweet It Is

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

Boudoir cap, c. 1919I have always, always wanted to own an original 1920s boudoir cap. There are so many covetable 1920s garments, but these little confections must truly take the cake. They are the pinnacle of Twenties chic; the epitome of the darlingest flapper girl. And since I now have shorn my hair into a bob, there was no excuse not to buy one, especially when I found a pale pink silk and ecru lace version, trimmed with pink bows, for $15 on Etsy. I’ve looked at many online in the past, but I have never seen such an inexpensive original cap of the era. 

Generally not worn overnight, the boudoir caps hid messy morning hair, or protected an elegant coiffure while dressing.

Boudoir cap, 1920sIn the Victorian era, night caps were a little more hardy, made from cotton trimmed in lace. Then in the 1920s they were transformed: sewn from silk and lace, and trimmed with silk ribbons, bows and flowers.

They were usually worn first thing in the morning in the privacy of the bedroom. Generally not worn overnight, the boudoir caps hid messy morning hair, or protected an elegant coiffure while dressing. Of course, I can’t possibly keep mine hidden in the boudoir – I must wear it out to astonish my public.

Boudoir cap, 1920sMy little cap really is so sweet that the immortal words sung by Marvin Gaye sprang immediately to mind:

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were …