Muumuu Nightgowns for Plus Size Women: Why a Moo Moo Is the Comfiest Thing to Sleep In

Is a muumuu good to sleep in? Yes. A muumuu (also spelled moo moo or mumu) is a long, loose dress that hangs from the shoulders with no waistband, no zip and nothing tight, so it moves with you when you turn over at night. That is exactly what you want from a nightgown. Our muumuu style kaftans are plus size kaftans (also spelled caftans) made as pullovers in one size that fits 1X to 3X, so there is no size to guess.

If you have ever woken up with a nightgown twisted around your hips, or pajama pants digging into your waist, keep reading. Below: what makes a good sleep muumuu, how it compares with a regular nightgown, five easy plus size kaftan dresses to sleep in, and how to wash yours so it lasts.

Is a muumuu a nightgown?

Not by origin, but it works as one. The muumuu comes from Hawaii, where it began as a loose, long dress for everyday wear. Its shape is what makes it so good for sleeping: it is cut wide from the shoulders down, so there is no seam pulling at the bust, waist or hips.

That is why so many women search for a muumuu nightgown or moo moo nightgown: they want the comfort of a nightgown with more room to move. A loose kaftan gives you the same thing. It hangs the same way and wears the same way, with wider, flowing sleeves. In our muumuu vs kaftan guide we explain the small differences between the two.

Muumuu nightgown, kaftan nighty or house dress?

They are all names for the same easy piece. You may know it as a moo moo dress, a mumu dress, a kaftan nighty, a caftan nightgown or a house dress. Whatever you call it, you want a loose, full-length dress you can sleep in, lounge in and answer the door in. That is why our plus size caftans double as plus size caftan loungewear and as a nightgown.

What makes a good sleep muumuu

• A loose, pullover cut. No buttons to press into you, no zip, no waistband. You pull it on over your head and forget about it.
• Room through the bust and hips. A one-size kaftan made for 1X to 3X skims your body instead of clinging when you lie down.
• Full length. Our polyester kaftans are about 52 inches long, so they cover you from shoulder to ankle on cold nights and when you open the door to a delivery in the morning.
• Light fabric. Lightweight polyester feels airy and dries fast after washing. Cotton feels soft and natural against the skin; our cotton kaftans are 100% cotton.
• Sleeves you choose. Wide kimono sleeves leave your arms free. Pick 3/4 sleeves if you like a little more cover.

Muumuu vs nightgown vs pajamas

	Muumuu / kaftan	Classic nightgown	Pajama set
Fit	Loose from the shoulders, no waist	Often fitted at the bust or waist	Two pieces with an elastic waistband
Length	Full length (about 52 inches on our polyester styles)	Knee to ankle	Shorts or full-length pants
Turning over in bed	Moves with you, no twisting at the waist	Can ride up or twist	Waistband can dig in
Answering the door	Looks like a dress	Looks like sleepwear	Looks like sleepwear
Plus size fit	One size fits 1X to 3X	Depends on the brand	You choose a size for top and bottom

The muumuu wins for one simple reason: you can sleep in it, have your morning coffee in it and walk out to the mailbox in it without changing.

5 plus size kaftan dresses to sleep in, in one size 1X to 3X

Each of these is a pullover kaftan from our muumuu collection, made as one plus size garment that fits 1X to 3X.

1. Black Rose-Silhouette Floral Kaftan

Black and white roses on a dark base, with a V-neck and 3/4 kimono sleeves. Easy to wear from bedtime to breakfast. Shop the Black Rose-Silhouette Floral Kaftan.

2. Turquoise Gold Paisley Kaftan

A round neck and wide kimono sleeves that leave your arms free. Bright enough to wear to brunch, easy enough to sleep in. Shop the Turquoise Gold Paisley Kaftan.

3. Purple Dye Paisley Kaftan

A soft purple tie-dye paisley with a V-neck and 3/4 kimono sleeves. One of our best-selling muumuu styles. Shop the Purple Dye Paisley Kaftan.

4. Dusty Pink Floral Cotton Kaftan

Our pick if you prefer cotton next to your skin. It has a collared V-neck, kimono sleeves and a drawstring you can pull in for shape or leave loose for sleep. Shop the Dusty Pink Floral Cotton Kaftan.

5. Blue Paisley Medallion Kaftan

Calm blue paisley medallions, a round neck and 3/4 kimono sleeves. An easy everyday house dress that doubles as a nightgown. Shop the Blue Paisley Medallion Kaftan.

Want more prints? See all muumuu and moo moo style kaftans.

One size that fits 1X to 3X

Every kaftan above is made as one plus size garment that fits 1X, 2X and 3X. There are no separate sizes to choose, and no worrying about whether to size up for sleep. The loose cut gives you room to move without extra fabric bunching around you in bed.

All of them are pullovers. If you would like buttons down the front, our button kaftans have buttons from neck to hem that open from the neckline to the bust.

How to wash your muumuu so it lasts

• Follow the label. The care label on the polyester and cotton styles above says hand wash or machine wash, then hang dry.
• Wash it inside out in cold water to keep the print bright.
• Hang it to dry instead of using the dryer. A full-length kaftan dries quickly on a hanger.
• Wash dark prints with similar colors for the first few washes.

Muumuu nightgown FAQs

Can you sleep in a kaftan?

Yes. A kaftan is loose from the shoulders with no waistband, so it is comfortable to sleep in, just like a muumuu nightgown.

What is the difference between a muumuu and a nightgown?

A nightgown is made only for sleeping and is often shaped at the bust or waist. A muumuu is a loose, full-length dress you can sleep in and also wear around the house or out on a warm day.

What size muumuu should I buy for sleeping?

Our muumuu style kaftans are one size that fits 1X to 3X, so there is no size to choose.

Do these muumuus open at the front?

No, they go on over your head. For buttons down the front, see our button kaftans, which open from the neckline to the bust.

What is a kaftan nighty?

It is a loose kaftan or caftan worn as a nightgown. Any of our pullover plus size kaftans can be worn this way.

Is a plus size caftan good loungewear?

Yes. A plus size caftan has no waistband and nothing tight, so you can lounge, sleep and run errands in the same dress. See all our plus size kaftans for women.

How fast will it arrive?

In-stock pieces arrive in 6 to 11 business days, made-to-order pieces in 12 to 18. US shipping is free on every order, and you can request a return within 30 days of delivery.

Ready to sleep better? Pick two and Bundle & Save: buy 2 and save 10%, or buy 3 and save 15%. Shop muumuu nightgowns.