Housedresses, Dusters, and Caftans

You heard me. Oh year. We're going there.

You know you want one. You just needed a safe place to admit your casual clothing fetish.

Well, we here at the Bitter Train are here to ablige. Come on, Sister, admit it. The idea of all that flowing fabric, sans waistband, makes you breathless.

Where did this sudden interest come from, you ask?

Like all my best ideas, it came to me in the tub.

After a leisurely afternoon soaking in the tub, (see previous posts on Mr. Bubble), the idea of binding my body with a waistband seemed contrary to the relaxation that the tub had offered. Perhaps it's my own fault for soaking for so long in the middle of the day. I didn't want to put on work or play clothes. Yet, it was too soon for pajamas. And frolicking about naked just creates too many awkward moments when you have not just a roommate, but numerous pets. You can see the dilemma and the appeal of the simple housedress. Just toss it on and get on with my day, or at least what was left of it. But no. I do not own any housedresses. Or patio dresses.

But look at this beauty. Can't you just see yourself sipping a fruity umbrella drink (or swilling a beer) while wearing it?

Sue and I swapped stories of housedresses, and when our mothers and/or other neighborhood ladies wore them. Then we wondered if we should go to K-mart and check their inventory. Expeditiously (I just wanted to use that word), Sue went on line to see what could be found.

Clearly, the choices and finer points of fashion wear was vast. Questions remain for me as I am unable to determine the differences between the housedress and housecoat (is it buttons?), caftans and dusters (is it the length? the flutter sleeves?), and just how did the "cobbler" go from shoeing horses in the barn to the kitchen? Why do product descriptions include words such as "ample" and "roomy?" And what is a snapdress? And America's Next Top Model has never featured any contestant actually wearing a "models coat" (although they've worn just about everything but).

Fashion Historians - help! Where did the housedress come from? The affluence of the 50's? More importantly, where did they go? Will they be permanently unseated by robes? Is the term "lounger" a bridge word from housedress to robe?

Further research reveals that one may purchase housedresses from stores that end in "mart" or in questionable catalogs such as Carol Wright.

What is your housedress/housecoat/caftan/duster/cobbler/lounger story? Who wore them when you were growing up? Did you? Do you still have any? Do you have my address?