A nightshirt is a garment intended for wear while sleeping. It is somewhat longer than most regular shirts, reaching down to the thighs or below the knees, leaving some of the legs uncovered. It is generally loose-fitting to avoid restricting the wearer`s movement while sleeping. Until the 16th century men slept naked or in a day-shirt; subsequen.... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightshirt
A nightshirt was a garment worn for sleeping before the invention of pyjamas. The nightshirt was an exaggerated shirt with a shirt hem, but reaching to the ankles. Found on http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/browse/PN.HTM