The Dressing Gown

Does anyone have or wear a dressing gown?

This is Harrison Ford from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Indiana has a guest over, Marcus, so he puts on his dressing gown during the conversation.

I realized that this is something gentlemanly that is almost lost to the winds of time — one of those small habits that still fits the kind of man I wrote about in Nine Ways to Be a Gentleman. Maybe you have a bathrobe, but a dressing gown? I wear mine when I have company over that is staying the night. Or, if I have to go outside and get the paper or the trash can from the street. Naturally, I wear long pajama bottoms so as not to raise an eyebrow.

I know a person who builds very close replicas to what Indy wore. It is described as typically a satin or silk dressing gown. And it is constructed just like a suit jacket, with padded shoulders and fully lined. The fine satin collar, cuffs, and pockets have beautiful quilt stitching. A long matching sash belt is included.

I have collected two over the years.

The first one is vintage 1950s. Red and silk. It has some interesting details that have probably been lost to time.

The right collar and lapel has a security button so there is never a chance of shocking the guests should the sash belt come undone.

And the sash belt itself has a set of buttons so it can never fall off.

The second one fits a little better and is from China. But the collar and sleeves are quilted like Indy's.

And there is a lifehack way to tie the sash belt around the front without it going around your back, giving it a more secure closure.

I used to work in a pretty fun tech company, and one day they had a "Wear your (tasteful) pajamas to work day." Naturally, I participated in the activities.

I even took the robe to Vegas to walk down to the pool with both modesty and style.

My sister asked, "Can I try on your robe?" Whatever. She was doing her best serious model pose.

Finally, I leave you with Norman Rockwell's Sunday Morning illustration.