Uses of dressing gowns - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Uses of dressing gowns

anne

Veteran

Louise's post on sleepwear and underwear has prompted me to write about my dressing gown. My winter one, to be precise. I use it to
-wear over PJs in the mornings - often til after the kids have left for school and I have washed the dishes (then I'll shower)
-wear after a shower and while I decide what to wear
- as an extra layer of warmth over day clothes around the house *blush*

I bought mine just before my eldest daughter was born, in anticipation of cold winter night feeding sessions. So that makes it nearly 9 years old and missing many buttons. It is not stylish, having a quilted yoke and looking rather grannyish ( In fact I wore it as a costume once and someone assumed I had searched around in the op-shop for it).

I was going to ask whether it would be okay to ditch it and replace but as I typed "9 years" I think I answered my own question! Duh! Yes!

One feature I want is a waist belt (my current one lacks this) it might look bulky but it seems to add a feeling of security. Apart from that I'd just like to be warm and not too frumpy?

What do you look for in and how do you use dressing gowns/robes?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from anne

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Yes Anne- it sounds like it is time to replace it. I have a fuzzy wrap with waist belt tie robe that I wear in the mornings/evenings over PJ's in the winter (or any chilly morning/evening). I made the mistake of getting white this last time, and even though it gets washed regularly the cuffs never get quite white again. I think that next winter I will replace it with gray, so that the dirt won't show!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I have a standard terry cloth type, the kind that you just tie shut. It's nothing special but I prefer that type of bathrobe to the ones with buttons or made with other fabrics. I throw it on in the mornings when I stumble around searching for coffee and after a shower, and I also sometimes wear it for extra warmth on top of my regular clothes, too!

Anonymous

I have summer and winter dressing gowns with waist ties that I put on after undressing while washing up before bed and for throwing on if I have to get up in the night to let the dog out or something. In the morning I usually shower and dress immediately after getting up.
Mine get replaced about every 2 or 3 years but they don't get heavy wear. I look for elbow or 3/4 length sleeves that won't get in the way, enough length to cover me but not enough to trip on going up and down stairs, handy pockets (having no pockets is a deal breaker), and a flattering color and shape (usually a wrap with a waist tie).
It's time for you to get a new one plus a nice warm cardigan for during the day when you are chilled. I have a thrifted Ralph Lauren cable wool navy sweater coat with pockets that serves this purpose.
It is funny how we don't replace something like a dressing gown that our family sees us wearing daily. Do you have Mothers' Day in Australia? A new robe might be a good gift suggestion for your family.

Isabel

Veteran

I am not sure what a dressing gown in is, but I have a winter and summer robe that I use for the same purposes. This is an absolute need in my wardrobe. I have had mine for probably 10 years ( my winter one ) but it is polar fleece and is in great shape. The color is still rich and it is easily washable. The one before it didn't last long.

I say it sounds as if your dressing gown is also imperative to you. Go ahead and get one. I like Elly's comment of us not thinking about dressing around our family. You also never know who will drop by. Sometimes a neighbor pops in and I am still in my robe cleaning ! ( I also wear my robe over my clothes if I am cold !!!!! )

( Now I am going to google dressing gown .

ETA : It is a robe !! I like "dressing gown" better.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Mine's navy fleece and zips up the front, which is fairly handy because my hands get stiff and sometimes numb in colder weather (at least, that was when I lived in a 4-season climate). That is also a major reason that I *have* to have pockets.

I actually prefer not to fiddle with waist ties in winter robes, so the zipped-up 'sack' I have is nice for me --- I can pull my feet up under it and curl up for warmth! My summer dressing gown is tied on, like a hotel robe, and I prefer the breeziness of that in hot weather.

Also nice if it has a funnel collar. So cozy!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mine is a navy blue fleece one that I picked up at Winner's (discount store). It's a couple of years old now but doesn't show any wear. I like it because it's light, warm, and a good colour for me. It ties at the waist and has pockets (convenient for kleenex) and a shawl collar. I wear it over PJs in the morning and sometimes late at night. In summer, I don't wear a dressing gown; instead I tend to pull on a lightweight cardi over my PJs if anything is necessary (and it usually is not).

Loungewear is like workout wear and underwear. It's not exciting to purchase, but we wear it so often I think it's important to put a bit of thought and care into buying and not to skimp just because it is hidden or not intended as a "fashion statement."

Meredith1953

Veteran

I have two kimonos I brought back from Japan that are my dressing gowns. For sleeping I have a couple of pairs of silky pajamas from VS and an old black watch plaid night shirt from Lands End that DH bought me before we married. It's at least 10 years old but so comfy! Oh...I also have navy blue full length monogrammed terry cloth robe he bought me the same Xmas as the night shirt. For lounging I wear Champion folderover yoga pants. They feel like sweats but I can actually run errands in them if need be with the appropriate top.

san

Veteran

I like a robe that is lightweight and with sleeves that are not bell shaped sleeves that get wet when washing hands. No hood for me either. I have the Barefoot Dreams robe now and I love it.

Louise

Veteran

Mine is pale blue with white hearts. It's kinda furry though not in faux fur way. I've had it ages, can't really remember how long, I thought about 4 years but actually could be much longer!! It's at least two sizes too big and the back has worn flat from all the sitting in it!! I wear it over pj's in the morning and evening and throw it on as an extra layer over clothes if I'm sitting and get cold. It also gets used as a kitty bed!! I very often chuck it on the bed while getting dressed and before I know it a furbaby has planted themselves on it and gone to sleep!!!
I also have a long cotton summer weight one, a thin terry towelling type material short sleeved summer weight one and a short hooded one which I sometimes wear in bed when sitting reading but to be honest these don't get a lot of wear and I usually just grab my cosy blue one x

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have a black towelling robe with a hood.

I use it for:
when I am up through the night with the girls.
when I am out of the shower, I let my hair air dry and use the hood.
In the winter I use it for in the evenings when the central heating is off (plus a fleece blanket).

You deserve a new robe Anne.

Makrame

Veteran

I have a lot of dressing gowns/robes and I also come from a culture where wearing a nice, usually brightly patterned or flowered dressing gown (or, rather, a "housedress") was standard. One would come home from work or shopping and change into a housedress for cooking, cleaning, lounging around etc. I don't do this any more (I have loungewear for that) but I still keep around at least one terrycloth robe, one more lightweight flannel gown, and a couple of short, packable robes for travel (one in cotton and one in silky polyester). The polyester one is not as comfortable but it packs very small and is a great way to relax in the hotel room after a day spent out and about. I always wear a dressing gown while I am having my morning coffee (helps keep my "normal clothes" from being ruined by random coffee spills).

anne

Veteran

Thanks everyone! Lots of advice here, and I am paying particular attention to those who mentioned sleeve issues, as getting them wet is certainly something I don't want.

Joy, I bought a heavy sweatshirt material jacket last winter and it was one of my best purchases to wear around the house. I had a sweater coat before that, that felt warm but looked very fuzzy . The jacket was so good I am looking for an additional item for that spot in the wardrobe this winter.

Darla

It is funny you write about dressing gowns, because I have just been thinking that I need to buy something of the sort. I've been dealing with the conundrum of not wanting to dress for work as soon as I get out of the shower...so then I throw pajama/lounge clothes on again, which is a bit of a pain. I decided it would be much simpler to toss on a robe.
I did notice that they don't seem to be the most common thing these days -- I looked at Target yesterday and noticed their selection is rather slim, and I thought the Victoria's Secret catalog might show some, but no. So that is definitely at the top of my shopping list right now.

anne

Veteran

Thanks Darla,

And I have just remembered another use of dressing gowns, and it is one Imogen blogged about
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......-kids.html
and I used to - that is getting dressed for the day and putting a dressing gown over the top to protect your clothes from the mess of little kids ( aprons don't have nearly as much coverage!)