Selection of Dressing gowns and homewear
Warning first! This post might be considerably opulent for most of you. Yet, it is one of my favourite subjects, and I would never forgive myself not to mention it. I consider rakish dressing gowns and stylish outfits at home as imaginary Mount Everest of style and that you are a true believer to class. As the saying goes - Everyone can dress nicely in front of people, but true style is how you dress when no one is looking.
I wanted this post to look different - ask Michal from The Owners to tailor my first bespoke dressing gown and plan photo-shooting in a luxurious hotel to show you how magical it can look. Also, I don't have to mention that a dressing gown is a practical garment. Invaluable for a weekend spent at home and in moments when you don't want to change from pyjamas but want to look at least a bit representative. I love even more the "British" way, or perhaps I should say more aristocratic way. To dress such dressing gown even over a shirt, tie and jacket/waistcoat - such a beauty.
But circumstances forced me to delay the before-mentioned post. The bespoke dressing gown is in the plan, the same as such photos. Well, at least I can bring you two articles instead of one. This makes it the first post on my blog without my pictures, and I hope you'll find it entertaining and find out some new stuff as usual.
One more thing I'd like to say. Even though the garments you'll see here are costly, please do not give up on them. Meaning, your tailor will undoubtedly ensure your dressing gown in a more appropriate price relation for you. Though as with everything - a beautifully tailored garment will never be cheap. I would recommend you visit Michal Trnka in The Owners if you have or will have the possibility to visit Prague. If not, check for your local tailors and be aware of their works in the past and reviews.
First, let's say a simple difference between towelling and dressing gown. The towelling gown is your helper just after a bath or shower. It's okay with water contact and helps you dry in comfort while watching TV afterwards or browsing news in the world with a laptop on your knees. The dressing gown is most often made of cotton, wool or silk - possible velvet, which also creates beautiful lapels on silk dressing gowns. Wool and silk gowns are better not touching the water as in a more extended period it could cause damage which we certainly don't want.
Above you'll find a choice of towelling gowns by Derek Rose.
Silk or wool dressing gowns are, to me, the epitome of style and rakish attitude for dressing. A classic attire to wear at home. Over the shirt, t-shirt, silk or cotton pyjamas, jacket, waistcoat or knitwear, you name it. Suddenly, breakfast, reading a book or working on a laptop feels more classy. And you'll save some money for not heating the apartment or a house. Certainly, you save them so you can buy a new dressing gown or slippers. I don't have to tell you that.
Above you'll find a selection of cashmere and wool dressing gowns by Derek Rose. By the way, that middle one made of navy and green, Blackwatch motif is the case for my first bespoke dressing gown.
Above are the finest silk dressing gowns by New & Lingwood. Who, by the way, allows you to design your bespoke one in-store as well as in an online store.
Look at these outfits below, again, by New and Lingwood - if that is not a classy home look, nothing is. For me, these looks are fruitful as well as entertaining. Confidence building assured.
Regarding classic pyjamas, this is something I still struggle with. I love to sleep only in boxers and a t-shirt. The more I am dressed, the more I feel uncomfortable. Probably because I rarely feel cold and if I wear something in my sleep (like pyjamas that includes long sleeve and trousers) I overheat. Maybe sometimes I get used to it. Anyway, even such a full pyjama can be tremendous and look dapper if made of silk or print. And silk in the summer and brushed cotton in winter can be helpful.
The choice below is again by Derek Rose and New & Lingwood.
Regarding what I wear for sleep: The boxer shorts and a t-shirt I might give you some tips.
Great underwear is by Sunspel, which is also an excellent brand for essentials like a white t-shirt, whether worn for sleep or as a base layer of your outfit. But lately, I'm especially keen to try out a bespoke shirtmaker Emma Willis who happens to make underwear as well. She's crafting it exclusively from Swiss cotton (right) and Italian linen (left) - as shown below.
You can buy a classic, versatile t-shirt at many stores. As a quality advocate, I want to prepare for some time a post where I compare a simple t-shirt from 5 different brands. Meanwhile, I will recommend some brands such as Sunspel, Son of a tailor, Mr. P, The Real McCoy's, Drake's or Suitsupply.
Right after dressing gowns, the most stylish things are the slippers. I mean the velvet Albert Slippers, named by Prince Albert, a husband of Queen Victoria. "These slippers began as practical indoor shoes worn to protect wooden floors and expensive rugs from dirt and grime inside the grand homes of England. At the time of development, the Smoking Jacket was at the height of fashion resulting in the Albert Slipper becoming the footwear of choice for Victorian gentlemen hosting lavish dinner parties. Today, the Albert Slipper has proved it can stand the test of time by being regularly paired with Dinner Jackets and even seen at red carpet events." says the website of Crockett & Jones, known these days perhaps best for supplying Daniel Craig as 007 with shoes for movies.
Perks of “Special order” by Crockett & Jones
These "slippers" that most men and women condemn are not only great looking (though this might be undoubtedly subjective) but the most comfortable thing you can wear as shoes at home. Those who did not try the quilted lining never believe how amazing it is while still looking sleek. No wonder people started to wear it with a black tie. Speaking of which, as a host of an optional black-tie party, I think guests would even forgive you for adding to a shirt, formal trousers and a bowtie also that silk dressing gown with velvet lapels instead of velvet black-tie jacket. I know, I know this is opulent and luxurious as much as it can be. But why not.
Anyway, I will end this article to tell you about the advantages of such "home shoes" shortly. I am almost certain you don't have to protect precious wooden or marble floors. But to keep your feets warm and comfy while looking classy is the main reason here. A simple version in a single colour, with hand made embroidery or perhaps, "special order" by C&J where you can choose colour, material, embroidery and colour of a quilted lining? It's up to you.
Above - Albert velvet slippers by Crockett & Jones
Except for classic Albert slippers, I'd like to show you one more type. As Belgian loafers are one of my favourite kinds of shoes, perhaps one of the best rework of these shoes are by Baudoin & Lange. The post about B&L I wanted to do for some time, but for now, it's important only information that they started to make their new model recently - Sagan edition Lune. This is an alteration of their classic Sagan model for exclusively interior shoes with Lunairmed insole material. Buttery soft not only shoe itself but sole as well. Anyway, equally elegant, a bit less old-fashioned. Now the most challenging part, which one choose?
Above - Sagan Lune by Baudoin & Lange
Let me know what you like to most! And let’s end today’s post by one of the most beautiful home outfits I’ve ever seen.
Yours Sincerely,
Denis
