Lockdown Gown

~ beetleypete

Since the first lockdown in March 2020, I haven’t done a great deal. A couple of meals out, and a few days away at the coast when restrictions were lifted briefly.

This has meant that I don’t have to bother too much about what I wear every day. Other than taking Ollie out, and a once a week trip to the supermarket, I am usually to be found in a dressing gown. (American Translation: Bath Robe)

Not unusual for me, as I have written previously about my fondness for gown-wearing.

However, lockdowns also mean no casual visitors, nobody just ‘dropping in’, or ‘popping over’. That has allowed my gown-wearing to become the norm, unless out on the Ollie walks and shopping trips mentioned above. As soon as I get up, the gown goes on. Once back from dog-walking, I change back into a gown immediately, and spend the evening feeling relaxed and cosy. Delivery drivers and post office staff have become accustomed to me answering the door in one of the two gowns that I constantly recycle through the wash.

One is made from blue towelling, the other is a plush material in a dark red ‘Claret’ colour. Both are exceedingly comfortable to sit around in, and with the sleeves rolled up, everyday jobs like cooking and washing up can be done wearing a gown.

But all this excessive gown-wearing has had an unexpected effect.

Clothes now feel strange. Although they fit the same as before, they feel restrictive compared to the freedom of a gown. I feel bundled up in normal clothes, even very loose casual ones. I am suffering from a condition that nobody predicted might be caused by the lockdowns.

Lockdown Gown.

I am going to need more gowns!

61 thoughts on “Lockdown Gown”

  1. Apart from not wearing makeup any longer, (too) hot ..flip flops are my mode of dressing down I don’t know what I would do if I had to wear shoes ….but I am guessing you are not alone judging by the comments and if you comfy then why not, Pete 🙂 x

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    1. Thanks, Carol. I haven’t worn any ‘hard shoes’ since December, and that was just one night, to go to a restaurant. When I am not wearing wellington boots, I am usually in sheepskin-lined slippers! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  6. I think many of us have been „dressing down“ lately. I work from home and definitely have been, too — in fact, doing away with the necessity of wearing dress suits was one of the first major benefits of leaving the big firm world behind a few years ago. Not dressing gowns in my case (though I own several), but comfortable sweaters and „indoor“ pants (sweatpants, etc. — except of course for the odd video conference). Even changing into a pair of jeans to go grocery shopping feels almost like an anomaly these days … and I get rid of them again as soon as I‘m back home, even before unpacking my groceries!

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  7. It makes sense that we want to wear whatever feels comfortable. I like a baggy sweatshirt, and I’m much happier in socks instead of shoes. If my feet feel cold, on come the slippers.

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  9. You got me thinking of the Coen Brother’s The Big Lebowski and Jeff Bridges. Are you becoming the Dude, Pete? Saying that, I normally wear one at home, but usually on top of pyjamas or loose clothes, so I understand the comment about restrictive clothing (I can’t stand jeans now)!

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  10. I have a house coat. Named this as it’s shorter than a gown. I only do pj days at the weekends where I wear really comfy clothes that I would not go out in and as soon as I hit the sofa the house coat goes on too (hot flush permitting lol). This is not a lockdown thing for me, more do a habit I’ve had for years. Isnt it funny how easy it is to grow accustomed to things?

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    1. I have considerable experience with menopausal hot flushes, Siobhain. Even a hysterectomy did not cure my wife’s propensity to always be ‘too hot’. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  17. I love my dressing gowns. I’ve spent a lifetime being up, dressed and organised before dawn. And although I have to be actually feeling ill to remain in my dressing gown all day, just having the choice now is one of the few perks 😉

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    1. Sounds good. I am learning some of his quotes, just in case.

      It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.
      Extraordinary how potent cheap music is.
      The higher the building the lower the morals.
      Television is for appearing on – not for looking at.
      Wit ought to be a glorious treat like caviar; never spread it about like marmalade.
      People are wrong when they say opera is not what it used to be. It is what it used to be. That is what’s wrong with it.
      Success took me to her bosom like a maternal boa constrictor.
      I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
      I don’t believe in astrology. The only stars I can blame for my failures are those that walk about the stage.

      And I am singing this song, in his accent of course. 🙂

      Best wishes, Pete.

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  20. Many people have been living in their pajamas these days. Why not. Be comfortable I say. I bought two new tops a year ago that I haven’t worn yet. I do dress up a little when I do Zoom calls. Well the top part at least. Funny times.

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        1. You have good reason not to like being in hospital, Stevie. The only time I was ever in hospital, I didn’t have a dressing gown, (it was a long way from home, and followed a bad car accident) and had to wear some pyjamas given to me from the ‘stores’. 🙂

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      1. My daughter-in-law spent the whole of Christmas Day 2019 in her pyjamas, as did my son and their two daughters. They often do the same on Sundays if they’re not going anywhere. It’s anathema to me, but hey, they seem to like it.

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