Vintage Nightgown with Half Back - Why?

[Peggy]

Can’t figure out why this was made like this? It looks like the back is mostly open except for the button down section.

 

[Midge]

I'm wondering if this wasn't made for another purpose than being a nightgown...

 

[GemGem]

Surgical maybe??

 

[Vinclothes]

Perhaps for an invalid? To cover the front of their body in an invalid or wheel chair?
Marian

 

[Midge]

Thinking... hair dresser's or something the like? Where you'd only need one side of the body covered up?

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

Funeral gown?

 

[Peggy]

Perhaps for an invalid? To cover the front of their body in an invalid or wheel chair?
Marian

I was thinking for someone bed ridden

 

[Barbara Robson]

Could it possibly just be the case that the pajama pants are missing? Is it possible that the button-down bit is actually the front?

 

[retro ruth]

I also wondered if the buttons might be the front.

 

[Vinclothes]

On second thought, buttons down the back would have been uncomfortable for a bed ridden person and not handy for a caregiver, so Barbara and Ruth may be onto something.
Marian