Babydoll Dress

A 'Babydoll' dress is a nightgown or a negligee for women. It is often embellished with laces, sequences, appliqu'©s, fur, bows, ribbons, and ruffles. The garments hemline is usually 6 inches above the knee. A Babydoll dress is commonly designed with a provocative twist. These dresses are held up by casual strap or spaghetti straps. The term Babydoll dress was coined in 1956 when Carroll Baker starred in the movie Baby Doll. She wore a Babydoll dress in the film; it was only after this that the Babydoll dress gained popularity. Back then a Babydoll dress was made out of synthetic fabrics and was sold at retail boutiques, which also contributed towards its commercial success as they were widely available at affordable prices. A provocative Babydoll dress is called 'Fembot'. It is created out of a marabou clad bralette with pleated chiffon for the skirt and a marabou strap for the hemline. The term 'Femgot' was popularized, after the release of the comedy flick 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'; in the film the female robots wore similar 'Babydoll' dresses. Babydoll dresses are available in a wide range of styles, colors, sizes and shapes. Contemporary Babydoll dresses include dresses such as those inspired by the traditional Japanese outfit, the Kimono to those made of leather. Current popular Babydoll dresses are adapted form the 1960s and the 1970s style of Babydoll dresses. Original Babydoll dresses from the 1950s up until the 1980s are now considered a collectors item.