A Meditation on the Housecoat
WFH fashion needs some love
It’s cold over here. Like I haven’t felt this cold indoors in years and I started wearing a winter hat inside. On my work calls. With the video on.
Also, I am very grateful for fingerless gloves.
Besides the freezing weather, it’s been an emotional week with the inauguration, ceasefire, and Israeli hostages being released. So today, we’re talking about some fun things that are keeping me nicely distracted from reality.
But first, a shot of my sweet cat, Captain Pablo.
And this is a less sweet shot of my cat hogging up the heat vent.
I feel ya, bud.
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And now for the main event: the housecoat
I remember my mother wearing caftan-like coverings during the summer but I don’t think I saw anyone but my grandmother rocking a housecoat. I actually still have her fire engine red velvet number in my closet.
A former colleague told me about her dream to reinvent the housecoat as a fashion forward must have. I thought and still think it is brilliant. Apparently others are thinking about this, too.
But what exactly is a housecoat?
Definitions vary but most dictionaries agree on this: a housecoat is a loose garment worn at home. Sometimes it’s worn over clothing and sometimes not.
Then there’s the popover, dressing gown, duster, kimono, lounge dress, snuggie, and bathrobe but this person really breaks a lot of it down better than I ever could.
The other thing I found a lot of: ugly.
Real ugly.
This one I’m calling Betty Draper meets pastel hell.
The Florida Grandma Collective
Then there’s Saturday Nightmare fever
Little House on the Prairie in Vermont
and finally, FLDS chic
With the federal return to office order and more employers insisting on in-person work, the housecoat may no longer be as necessary as before. But who said any of this was a necessity?
Also, there’s got to be some better stuff out there.
I’ll share some of my faves but I will say the category could use some new blood. AND most of these options are absurdly expensive, starting with the cult favorite: the Offhours Housecoat
In 2021, Wirecutter called it the best housecoat on the market and despite it’s nearly $300 price tag and 5 lb heft, it remained a winner. “It wasn’t dense enough to weigh me down as I meandered around my kitchen to make coffee, and it wasn’t so light that I ever forgot that I was wearing it.” Did I mention it’s reversible?
Then there’s a few others that teter between serviceable and pleasantly ok. This Natori option is definitely streamlined and chic, but also $170.00 and made out of jacquard which never screams “modern” to me.
The Amazon fast fashion option
The Ekaouer retails for around $40.00 but I would steer clear of any patterns. There’s nothing like a butterfly print to send you straight into the wrong side of #grannycore.
A quick look at Etsy turned up these vintage options.
This pink situation is something I could never pull off but maybe you can? It’s definitely giving Frenchy from Grease. The top right quilted cotton floral is ….something. It could be more #tradwife than anything else but you’d need a really good haircut to keep it from turning too Duggar. The bottom two, which I’m calling varsity stripe and Khaleesi, are serviceable.
This red gown is only $10 on Ebay and it’s kinda fancypants glam. The seller notes: “…..this does have a bit of a "Vintage" smell to it. I've been airing it out and it's much better. Once washed I'm sure the smell will be completely gone.” hmmmmm.
And finally, two runway looks from British designer Anya Hindmarch’s 2018 Spring ready to wear runway. She called the collection “Symphony to Suburbia.”
I’m into the cut-out shoulders but they are definitely not a bargain, hovering at $900.00 (in 2018). As one reviewer put it, “these were not designed for scrubbing floors.”
What do you wear at home when it’s cold? Anything you actually feel good in?
And before we go, a quick hit of SALES
Clearly instagram knows my weakness. I have recently been assaulted with incredible ads all about the most epic “winter sales.” Of course I click but now you don’t have to! Here are the best (clothing + furniture) ones I’ve found.
Marcella: beautiful, interesting basics
Farm Rio: a collection of dresses and separates that SCREAM with color.
Then there’s Reformation, alo, West Elm, and my personal fave, The Real Real.
Take care of your hearts.
I have always disliked housecoats. Full disclosure: I live in rural Maine in an off-the-grid (for real) stone house on a small mountain with only wood heat. It’s cold but not when I’m next to the wood stove. When I was working and had to leave before the house was really warm, I would put an oversized, cozy, peppermint pink fleece robe over my clothes. It did the trick. I’ve had that robe for at least two decades. It was a gift from my parents who knew my situation and wanted to add a little comfort to my life. I love the robe. Though I don’t think it’s that attractive, I love the color. It’s also funny - a bonus - and warm. Short of having anything else, my down jacket and a winter hat also work well. Fleece robe verses housecoat? I know what I would pick.
I love the idea of bringing the housecoat back to life. I recently discovered the joy of working in a warm bathrobe with my regular wfh clothes underneath. I want that feeling, but stylish.