As I stay closer to home this month, start transitioning back to school and the weather heats up, the only thing I feel like wearing is a “house dress”. The term “house dress” originated in the late 18th Century and was a type of simple dress to be worn at home to do chores and other assorted domestic tasks. In the 1950’s the house dress became more feminine and stylish and could be worn out of the house if one added pearls and gloves. Though the house dress was originally designed as a uniform to do household tasks and rural chores, after the 60’s and the women’s movement, it came out of the house and into the outside world of work, vacation and travel. Since 1974, the easy comfort of Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dress, a descendent of the house dress, has become one of the hardest working garments in the modern woman’s wardrobe. Modern designers continue to play with notions of house dress as does Phoebe Philo in for Celine (thank you Jolain)
Photo Courtesy of Hypebeast
In her book, The House Dress: A Story of Eroticism and Fashion, the author, Elda Denese, suggests that these multiple aspects, combined with the memory of the dressing gown, place the house dress in a threshold space (and you know how I love this place), between rural and urban, domesticity and sociality, between vacation and work and daytime and nighttime. This of course makes it the perfect garment to wear as our society is massively in the midst of which my idol Jane Addams calls “an in-between time” or the modern term, “liminal space”. In anthropology this refers to the disorientation that occurs in the middle of a rite where one loses what one has been before but not yet begun the transition to what one will be.
As I sit at home now about to conduct 2 on-line courses and attend to my fashion project I realize I could make a living and choose to never leave my home. The nature of work, domesticity, travel and fashion are being changed at rapid speed through technology. Bulky institutions are now fast are crumbling, new ones emerging and some are still unthought knowns.
So as I float between virtual and real, inside and outside, work and rest I need a garment that suits. Like my mother did, I need a garment that can stay in or go out. The dress I am wearing in this post, is a more modern and functional version of the house dress. Inside it feels like a luxurious dressing gown yet I can step right outside my door. And yes the name of the brand started by the designer, Katie Goldman McDonald, is House Dress. The proportions are generous, the garments are size free, the textiles are soft and weightless so one feels like they are not wearing anything. House Dress garments are locally and sustainably produced.
The one healthy habit I have been able to cultivate despite being a hot mess is that I make sure I have a balanced diet of virtual and real. I am teaching a face to face brick and mortar version of the on-line class and have the Wing, my outside workspace to keep me connected as well as meetings and visits to studios to meet and interact with the actual creators. As part of my balanced diet of “real”, many months ago I met this designer for coffee to find out more and she generously gifted me this dress. I have been waiting for the right time to wear it and to let it inspire me. This day, this time in my life and in this world is the perfect moment. Thank you Katie!
Does inspiration ever strike you after a long wait and when you least expect it?
The house dress has always been my go to garment. I love the layers and the way that you put it all together. I enjoy waiting to see what you come up with next. Such a treat. Thanks Josetta
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Hi. Hello. Howdy. I love it.
Since the Covid lockdown I’ve been wearing what’s called a lounger-house-dress. Its sleeveless because I live in Florida and it’s always hot and humid here.
I do house work in it, cook, take the dog out to do his business, garden, read and watch TV. (I don’t do errands, grocery shop or go out anywhere in it.
Wearing a lounger-house-dress is convenient slip on, cooling in a hot climate and I love it.
You look beautiful, and I love the piece of "house dress" history. Following recent surgery, I’ve become a fan of kimono-like house dresses in a variety of colors and patterns. Now wondering what took me so long!
Never too late! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Great timing! I have a collection of soft, elegant pieces without closures that I have bought secondhand from Fisher Renew in Seattle. Eileen Fisher is at the forefront of closing the waste loop in fashion production. These luxurious, affordable garments let me feel feminine and free and carry no bad aftertaste. All proceeds are used for women’s programs and environmental initiatives.
Just yesterday I said, "I need work dresses". For me, that means serviceable fabrics for an artist/farm setting. I want the same timeless style, comfort and femininity in a house dress. I’m going to make myself one!
Thanks, Lyn.
She has a little factory here in NY where she does all of that kind of work. She is a true visionary and leads the way in the industry.
I feel fashion is more and more heading to loose unconstructed layers as your house dress worn with a longer skirt. One side note the runway shot on the left is actually Celine from fall 2013.
Thank you, I will make the correction!
Yes, it does. Seems to happen whenever I push myself away from the expected. The relationship between the body and clothing is always shifting, which I find inspiring.
I have long been whining about men taking what I see as the lazy way out, the baggy ugly top over baggy ugly bottoms and huge shoes and ubiquitous ball cap. While, of course, the women by their sides have been parodies of Kardashian style “sexy”.
I now see a younger generation of men embracing well-cut clothes and women enjoying clothes that move with ease and subtly celebrate the mystery of what lies beneath. I love the fact that every generation, by default, seeks to create its own style, referencing what has come before but always with a fresh spin.
The nature of life and I love how you embrace the idea of change and evolution.
I personally love this ‘house dress’ and would definitely buy it. As you say, I believe it has multiple purposes… I could wear inside but also outside. Imagine wearing it at a wedding where the dress code was “chic rustic”. It might miss on the rustic but then one can always fudge
Perhaps some head hear embellished with green leaves and flowers?
What’s the definition of a ‘house dress’? It’s not a term we use in the UK……. well not one that I know of anyway! Thanks
She defines house dress in the article.
When I was in college 40+ years ago, I found an awesome vintage housedress (50’s?) in a thrift shop. It was a soft cotton, had practical pockets, and a lovely print of some sort. It was comfortable and it suited me in every way. In fact, it was so wonderful that someone else must have thought so too–it was stolen out of the dryer in the dorm laundry room! Thanks for inspiring us to think about this topic of housedresses.
Thanks for sharing your story. I am sure there are countless stories of cherished garments going missing in college laundry rooms, I have a few of my own!
I love this dress it’s beautiful
Love that dress! You wear it well, just like everything else!
Oh I love this dress. So comfortable looking and quite classy. Where could I purchase?
My beloved Grandma when I was little always wore day dresses , her hair pulled up in a bun , and a big glass of ice water , that was in the early 60’s , well it’s 2020 I still think about my grandparents , I’m 64 now and I’m teaching my grandbaby she’s 6 , I’m told I’m the best Mum Mum , thank you for your article ,
Honey Mum Mum , ???