I was going to write this morning about a new tailor I’m interested in, but it’s so cold in my house that it’s hard to think about anything besides how to stay warm. I should probably turn on my heater before going to bed, but the problem is that I always sleep with the windows open. It feels great at night. Just not so great in the morning.
So, I’m thinking about dressing gowns, that somewhat antiquated garment that men used to wear at home when they had to interact with people, but hadn’t yet gotten fully dressed. Personally, I think they’d be great to wear in the morning for when I’m eating breakfast, catching up on my reading, and typing out posts before I run to campus. Basically what I wish I could wear right now. Nobody would really see me in it, but put with a pair of striped light-blue pajamas and Derek Rose navy slippers,* I think I would be quite happy. And warm. Yes, very warm.
The three main places I know of to get them are Turnbull & Asser, Charvet, and Derek Rose. The first two are particularly expensive, though they do make very nice things. Rue La La, oddly enough, had Turnbull & Asser silk dressing gowns last week, some in a beautiful pindot pattern set against a navy ground. Discounted flash sale price? Something north of $1,000. Too rich for my blood, so I’ve been looking elsewhere.
Happily, Ascot Chang said they could make me a custom one for (relatively) not too much money. A thin one made from Viyella cotton/ wool shirting would cost just little more than one of their standard shirts. I need something more substantial, however, so I’m thinking of a winter weight, 14 or 17oz woolen flannel, maybe from Fox Brothers. The better material will push the price up considerably, but I feel safe in knowing that Ascot Chang doesn’t charge an unreasonable price for labor. I’m now waiting for a price quote.
Pictured below are some of Fox Flannel’s own dressing gowns, made for them by Budd Shirtmakers, and sold through their new ready-to-wear brand, The Merchant Fox. Something like this, made specifically to fit me, is what I want to wear in the morning. Flannel dressing gown at home; flannel trousers at work. As some on the internet would say, “all flannel everything.”
* For more affordable slipper options, see my post on home footwear at Put This On.