Dress Stewart

The Time Defying Glamour of The Dressing Gown

The dressing gown is firmly routed in the history of Hollywood Glamour and indeed, vice versa.  In the 1950s the dressing gown came to represent the glamour that epitomized Hollywood throughout the silver screen years.

In the 1950s clothing for women exuded femininity, it was a time that followed the great depression.  The 50s were known for post war affluence and an increase in leisure activities.  It was the end of the war and after so much minimalism, women craved luxurious fabrics and clothing that accentuated their feminine forms.   Cinema became widely accessible and women were inspired by the hour glass shapes and figure hugging designs that adorned the big screens, women celebrated in their femininity.  

The most iconic leading ladies of the silver screen such as Jean Harlow, Elaine Stewart, Dolores Costello, Mary Nolan and Rita Hayworth (to name only a few) always had a dressing gown close at hand – both on and off the screen.  Because of its popularity amongst these silver screen sirens the dressing gown quickly became a symbol for femininity, glamour, elegance, sensuality and opulence. 

At this same time the theatre would consider heavy kissing and moments of passion incredibly taboo, most films would avoid anything too risqué for fear of offending the audience.  A scene showing a lady in her dressing gown whilst in the presence of male company would be enough to indicate that a passionate embrace had or would ensue.   The dressing gown therefore often symbolised intimacy and passion.

We fast forward to the present day and it seems that the attributes of the dressing gown are not lost amongst the show girls of today.  This very month Rihanna entered the stage on the opening night of her ‘Loud’ tour wearing a pale blue satin floor length dressing gown and looking every bit as glamorous as her 1950s silver screen predecessors.

Katy Perry wore a stunning vintage dressing gown in the video ‘thinking of you’ an early song in Katy Perry’s career.  More recently Katy also chose to wear a dressing gown in a photo shoot for Elle Magazine.  Christina Aguilera , Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Lady Ga Ga and Dita Von Teese have similarly in recent times used a dressing gown as part of their wardrobe when performing.

There are countless celebrities who in recent times have also been photographed whilst wearing their dressing gowns off set.  To name but a Few … Dannii Minogue, Twiggy, Cheryl Cole, Blake Lively, Billy Piper and Madonna have all been snapped in recent times by the paparazzi whilst catching a moment of relaxation in their dressing gowns in between performances.             

Perhaps the popularity of dressing gowns amongst the glamorous stars of both yesterday and today is that they provide the ideal harmony between feminine elegance and practical warmth and comfort.

Dressing gowns are also no longer reserved solely for the dressing room and the stage as more and more celebrities have been spotted at red carpet events adorning beautiful satin gowns that remarkably resemble the style of a dressing gown.  I like to think that perhaps this style statement is a salute to the Hollywood glamour of the 1950s  or a sign that elegance, sophistication and glamour is here to stay.

At TheDressingGown.com you will find a collection of dressing gowns that have been inspired by Hollywood glamour, produced in the finest fabrics of the day – rich slipper satins, rayon crepe and the finest jacquqrds.  The designs have been reconstructed for today’s generation combining effortless ease, comfort and durability with sassy, elegance and femininity.  like the silver screen stars that inspired them, these dressing gowns are destined to seduce and dazzle.

About the Author

Davinia Vitrac is the owner of http://www.thedressinggown.com, an online boutique that specialises exclusively in ladies dressing gowns.  Inspired by the silver screen sirens of yesteryear, TheDressingGown.com has one single mission – to bring the essence of femininity back into the world of ladies dressing gowns.

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