Whatever happened to the humble Housecoat?

So what was the House coat of yesteryear?

 Claire Franks from Intimate Apparel Consultancy  explains: The housecoat (not to be confused with a bath robe or a dressing gown) was a popular item of clothing with housewives in the 1940’s. Usually long enough to cover the clothes worn underneath; the housecoat was an extremely useful garment that acted like a pinafore or a dust jacket to protect the wearers chosen outfit. Once chores were complete, our house proud owner simply slipped it off and emerged looking fabulous.

Over time the popularity of the humble housecoat waned and it evolved to become a more sophisticated and attractive garment, used in the evenings rather like the male dressing gown. Eventually the term house coat fell out of use altogether and the modern robe, dressing gown or toweling bath robe took its place.

We conducted a quick off the cuff survey of what uses today´s woman finds for her modern-day Housecoat? Some of the answers are included below.

“Lounging around comfortably at the weekend” Ellen- Lingerie Student

“Essential work gear - I sit at my desk wrapped in my housecoat with a cup of coffee, working through my days tasks with my dogs curled up at my feet” Maureen Pimley - Patricia Eve

‘Great for wearing in the evening whilst relaxing & watching telly” Claire Franks (Intimate Apparel Consultancy) on her spotty Egatex housecoat

“Keeping me warm and comfy after a bath” Nikki - Lingerie Model

 “I could be in it all Saturday morning, hoovering and taking out the rubbish, or relaxing with a glass of wine in it by the evening. It’s extremely versatile!” Wendy Bull PR Manager

“My favorite time of the day is when I slip on my super soft silk dressing gown, (housecoat) and paint my toe nails, it’s a weekly ritual that requires soft music, scented candles and not a soul around...bliss.”  Violet www.violetsknickers.com (BTW, Who is Violet?)

So if this has got you wondering about comfy dressing gowns or bath robes why not check out our range from Egatex. We will be showing the latest collections at MODA on stand B14