Vintage Lounge Dresses

Why To Wear: Even if you stick with neutrals for your vintage street styles, you can get glam or kitsch or funky as you wanna behind closed doors in vintage lounge wear and house dresses.  We see them in Lucille Ball polka dots, wild psychedelics, and everything in between.  And they're easy to live in, usually fitted only at the bust and shoulders... a welcome break from the nips and tucks of wasp-waisted vintage clothes.

Alternatives: There's a blurry line between vintage sun dresses (meant to be worn outside the house) and vintage lounge dresses (like pop-overs and muu-muus for indoor use).  You can go either route and wear both sun dresses & lounge dresses round-the-house.  Likewise, many dresses that were originally meant for indoors use are perfectly apropos out on the street today.  The important thing is that you feel fabulous wearing it.

What To Look For: Vintage lounge dresses were usually made by small ready-to-wear factories in the last several decades, and because they were budget-priced, the quality is pretty average.  Make sure all the buttons and snaps are properly placed, and look for seam gaps even in unworn deadstock.  On the other hand, some of these small companies held higher quality standards and often created the best in casual vintage details - you can find fancy tucks & latticework, sweet embroidery and beautiful molded buttons on "everyday" dresses that are full of charm.

Favorite Finds: House dresses from the 1930s to 1950s are becoming quite the collectible, and they tend to be better made than those from later decades.  These dresses are also the types that more easily translate into cute street apparel.

View All Vintage Lounge Dresses | Back To Vintage Dresses Buyers Guide | Back To Free Fashion History & Clothing Care Info