The dressing gown occupies a space fashion rarely names but often relies on. Once you begin to notice it, it is everywhere: backstage before a runway, in hotel rooms ahead of red carpets, in film stills, across fashion editorials, in curated photo dumps and mood boards, and in the stillness of early mornings.
Take the backstage visual alone. The pink satin iterations once synonymous with the Victoria’s Secret heyday became shorthand for the ritual of getting ready: models mid-glam, hair pinned, makeup artists hovering, and belts loosely tied before the spectacle begins. Elsewhere, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker, caught by the paparazzi between takes and draped in plush terry cloth or quilted silk, offer a rare glimpse of the star in professional limbo.
There are days when it is the entire plan. It is the sartorial equivalent of a ‘do not disturb’ sign. A comfort film plays in the background, a bowl of popcorn or a tub of ice cream rests on the sofa, the belt is tied once, almost absentmindedly, and the fabric settles around you, creating a small boundary from the outside world.
“Dressing gowns are one of the most intimate and expressive garments in our wardrobes,” explains British designer Diane Houston, founder of Gilda & Pearl. “They sit at the intersection of ritual and identity. Historically, robes have been symbols of intellect and refinement; think of artists and tastemakers in beautifully tailored robes. They represent personal luxury dressing not for performance, but for yourself. In many ways, that’s the purest form of fashion.”
On screen, the dressing gown is never accidental. Taylor Swift, Cardi B, and Rita Ora have all used its fluid silhouette theatrically to command the stage before a dramatic on-stage reveal.
Film and television have long relied on the garment as a shorthand for intimacy or authority, worn by everyone from the cocktail-sipping elite of Sex and the City to the razor-witted ladies of The Golden Girls.
Crucially, this power has never been limited by gender. Male characters have used the robe to signal introspection or power. Think Bill Murray in Lost in Translation, Brad Pitt in Fight Club, or James Gandolfini and Bryan Cranston in The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.
In recent seasons, Gucci and Fendi have sent dressing gowns down the runway as outerwear, reworking them as structured coats and silk layers styled deliberately. Beyond the home, fashion’s boldest risk-takers have followed suit. Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, and Gigi Hadid have styled them over denim or tailored trousers, establishing the piece as a serious player beyond the bedroom.
“We’ve seen robes reinterpreted as lightweight coats, silk wrap layers over tailoring, or belted outerwear worn with intention,” Houston notes. “I love styling them in ways that shift context, over denim for day, or with a silk slip dress for understated evening elegance. A silk version also works beautifully as a travel layer; it’s a considered alternative to a cardigan. Even shorter styles can feel elevated when belted over a tailored pair of trousers.”
She adds that the current appetite leans towards nuanced neutrals, rich textures such as velvet or pearl trim, and pieces that feel indulgent yet practical.
For those considering a purchase, Houston advises thinking beyond novelty: “I would advise them to focus on longevity. Think about the fabric first, and touch it to see if it feels luxurious. Consider whether it will breathe and drape well. Then look at the construction. Inner seam details such as French seaming suggest care and that no detail has been overlooked.”
She continues, “Decide on a length that suits your lifestyle. A slightly longer cut can feel more luxe and transition easily into outerwear. Focus on a timeless colour or print; neutrals, deep jewel tones, classic stripes or refined florals will age beautifully. Allow trims, whether playful marabou or classic piping, to reflect your personality. A great dressing gown should feel like it will be part of your life for years, not seasons.”
