| Most have never wondered about the origins of a | | | | However, robes which function for purposes such as |
| woman's robe considering its staple status in our | | | | they do today were not commercially available until |
| wardrobe. The term ‘robe’ first appeared in | | | | the 20th century. Up until that time, nightclothes |
| 13th century France. It denoted a long, loose outer | | | | were seen as mere coverings to fully disguise the |
| garment most usually worn by members of the | | | | human form (both male and female) and were |
| clergy. Before this, however, Germanic sources show | | | | purposely unattractive. Certainly it was not until |
| the word ‘rouba’ used to mean vestments, | | | | nightwear became more scanty and revealing that |
| in regards to plunder or booty taken as spoils from | | | | there was a real need for bathrobes to be worn. |
| the enemy. It was not until the 14th century that | | | | At the turn of the century, robes de nuit were the |
| ‘robe’ was used as a verb (as in to disrobe) | | | | first women’s night garments considered a |
| and the 17th century when it first referred to a | | | | fashionable part of a trousseau, adorned with |
| garment associated with the legal profession. | | | | embellishments, and constructed of finer fabrics such |
| Presumably the noun ‘robe’ was combined | | | | as silk, lawn, and cambric. |
| with ‘bath’ to indicate a garment that was | | | | It was a bit longer before bathrobes were an |
| used to cover up after washing oneself. It was a | | | | acceptable accessory in a man’s wardrobe. In |
| way to preserve the wearer’s modesty when | | | | the 1930s, dressing gowns became all the vogue for |
| moving to and from the bathroom or bath house. | | | | lounging about the house. Of course in the next two |
| Origins of the Robe as a Leisure Garment | | | | decades, a man’s bathrobe, or smoking jacket, |
| As a dressing gown, the custom of wearing a | | | | would become the quintessential symbol for leisure |
| women’s bathrobe does not enjoy a very long | | | | men of wealth who enjoyed a fine cigar. |
| history in the relative scheme of things. Although | | | | It is hard for many people to fathom that robes for |
| there is little documentation as to when this switch | | | | women and men are such a modern item of clothing |
| from papal wear to leisure garment first occurred, | | | | in consideration of how common they are today. |
| aristocratic ladies of the 1700s were known to cover | | | | Thankfully, there are many options available for us in |
| their nightgowns with a decorated sleeping jacket. | | | | these comfortable and functional leisure garments. |