Night Shift: The Evening Gown Renaissance

If it seems like rather too much effort, I assure you it’s worth it, so allow me to make this easy for you. Inspiration is available by the bucket load – any Cary Grant movie will do the trick (although the fur trimmed sleeves and floaty chiffon in Bringing Up Baby takes a certain swagger to carry off), but look to Noel Coward’s Present Laughter, Sheridan Whiteside’s Monty in The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942), and the divinely camp Dirk Bogarde in Modesty Blaise (1966) for dressing gown ‘do’s’. Neo-noir gangster film Miller’s Crossing (1990) sees Leo (played by veteran Albert Finney) take down an entire mafia-squad in his embroidered slippers, matching pyjama set and red raw silk gown with black lapels; if Connery’s silk number is the symbol of seduction, Finney’s makes a good case for the gangster gown. Even Young Frankenstein earned his sartorial stripes – or rather, rococo pattern – via Gene Wilder’s eponymous character, his resplendent robes in wine red, deep purple satin and shawl lapels large enough to take flight with a little encouragement.

What none of these gentlemen lack is searing on-screen presence, brains and beauty, as well as the finesse to carry off extravagant nightwear. Classic pyjamas are ageless, and velvet slippers are a multi-functional finishing touch, but the dressing gown has the real chance to be a show-stopper, lady-killer and game-changer all in one. Our recent collaboration with New & Lingwood introduced a collection of exquisite silk jacquard dressing gowns to our online atelier; the peacock jacquard in royal blue and black “feels distinctly evening-appropriate, and of course channels something of the rakish man’s spirit-animal”. Simon Maloney, New & Lingwood’s Product & Marketing Director, says of the concept; “It’s become very clear from our strong sales in luxury dressing gowns that men are starting to pay more attention to their bedroom attire. We’re trying to convey and resurrect that time of lost elegance that was so prevalent in 1940s Hollywood. They look so elegant worn with either pyjamas or over a tux shirt and trousers, whilst taking a Scotch before a gentleman changing into a dinner jacket. Women have always paid far more attention to what they wear in their bedroom than men. It’s probably about time men took a stance for equality in the realm of high-end nightwear.”

Which means if social etiquette demands you wear neutral tailoring to work or a carefully curated capsule collection on your travels, your nightwear is where you can loosen the conservative ties and enjoy a little more freedom to express yourself. Nowhere else is it quite so acceptable to wear silk on silk, velvet lapels and personally monogrammed slippers all at the same time, and then there’s the added bonus of looking fantastic between the sheets without removing a stitch of clothing.

After all, it is the season of comfort and joy, unexpected visitors and sprigs of mistletoe, so we suggest you slip into something a little more comfortable and dress to the nines – even after eight.