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Original poster

Dot Cotton's housecoat

184 replies

Teael · 04/04/2022 23:06

The sad news today and the pictures of June Brown (rest in peace) reminded me of a question I've had for a while:

What happened to those polyester housecoats middle aged women wore when I was a child? When I google housecoats, I just get dressing gowns, which isn't what I'm meaning. They had enough static to power the national grid (with the hair spray used, I'm amazed there weren't more hair spray/house coat induced self-immolations), but were worn for housework, and were quick to wash.

Not dressing gowns, nor aprons. They were literally coats you wore in the house.

Where does one buy such an item these days?! I'm quite pleased to see the photos of June Brown wearing one, as I'd started to think I'd made them up!

OP posts:
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AtlasPine · 05/04/2022 06:52

A housecoat isn’t the same as a quilted dressing gown. It didn’t really keep you warm - it protected your clothes from cleaning fluids, oil and grease when cooking etc. It was thinnish nylon often long-sleeved coat, generally replacing the cotton wrap around sleeveless type of the 40s and early 50s, a la Les Dawson. It reminds me of when you would never have called your mum’s friends by their first name unless you started with the word ‘Auntie’.

The seventies quilted nylon dressing gown was another wonder to behold. Those sparks. The way any hangnail instantly got caught up in the threads which could start to loosen from day one of wearing it. Those pastels

TheLadyDIdGood · 05/04/2022 06:53

a quilted robe like this?

AtlasPine · 05/04/2022 06:56

@TheLadyDIdGood

a quilted robe like this?
I wouldn’t call that a housecoat but a dressing gown. Maybe it’s a regional thing?
AtlasPine · 05/04/2022 07:01

III think I’m wrong having googled it. I think I’m confusing a housecoat with a working overall.

nobeer · 05/04/2022 07:06

@Blossomtoes that's so lovely!

I've got two bed jackets, they're chenille and very cosy. I live in a southern European country which gets surprisingly chilly inside in winter, so very handy.

GregBrawlsInDogJail · 05/04/2022 07:06

My mum had one! Still does in fact. Pink with big pearlescent plastic buttons. She wore it on the rare occasion she did housework. Or deep fried things.

(Not a slattern. A doctor who worked all hours and employed a cleaner.)

I should snag it for vintage value.

Middleagedfrog · 05/04/2022 07:11

I think the housecoat (for chores rather than as a dressing gown) is ripe for modernising with different fabrics. Aprons are ok but usually require adjustment with straps to make them fit.

Vanillalatteplease · 05/04/2022 07:14

Oh my goodness this takes me back. My Nanna used to wear one just like Dot. I can just picture her now in the kitchen using the twin tub. I have a memory of her using a big wooden pole to fish the washing out . This would have been mid 70's I think.

Glorieta · 05/04/2022 07:15

In our house a housecoat is quilted article that as PP have stated was nylon and highly flammable. Its a forerunner of great dressing gown. I have a pic of me on Xmas day 1970 sporting a blue and white number sitting in front of a wendy house.

The coatlike thin nylon checked item a la Dot Cotton was called an overall. Had pockets for dusters and a can of pledge. Worn whilst cleaning/cooking. When the overall went on you knew your mum meant business!

A tabard is the one that fastens at the sides, worn for lighter housework or cooking activity eg on pancake day

AtlasPine · 05/04/2022 07:16

@Glorieta

In our house a housecoat is quilted article that as PP have stated was nylon and highly flammable. Its a forerunner of great dressing gown. I have a pic of me on Xmas day 1970 sporting a blue and white number sitting in front of a wendy house.

The coatlike thin nylon checked item a la Dot Cotton was called an overall. Had pockets for dusters and a can of pledge. Worn whilst cleaning/cooking. When the overall went on you knew your mum meant business!

A tabard is the one that fastens at the sides, worn for lighter housework or cooking activity eg on pancake day

Yes - I think you have it. Thanks!
User748956 · 05/04/2022 07:17

I think the quilted things were sometimes called housecoats but they were used like dressing gowns in the 70s, the thin nylon housecoat for cleaning would have been more like a lab coat

Vanillalatteplease · 05/04/2022 07:20

My Nanna always kept a pack a 20 club in the pocket.

namechangerqwerty · 05/04/2022 07:21

www.constanceswiftltd.com check out Constance swift, they make beautiful house coats.

DoctorSnortles · 05/04/2022 07:23

I am very tempted by the housecoats on this thread. But then, as a messy, clumsy person, I wear cotton aprons a lot of the time when cleaning/cooking anyway. If they weren't made of nylon and came in Fat Lady size I'd be first in the queue for a housecoat.

PeskyRooks · 05/04/2022 07:25

You can get very fetching gingham tabards and overalls on eBay. Called 'overalls for cleaning' hence Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques!

FourChimneys · 05/04/2022 07:25

My mum had pink nylon house coat. It would have either come from Shaws or Brentford Nylons. It was completely different to her dressing gown.

We still have, and sometimes use, a carpet sweeper although it is not a Ewbank. It is very quick and efficient for crumbs etc.

Scarby9 · 05/04/2022 07:27

This makes me nostalgic for the shop Brentford Nylons. Everything in it radiated static!
Nylon overalls, nighties, pyjamas, sheets, pillow cases, quilts...

Scarby9 · 05/04/2022 07:29

Here you go, nostalgia seekers!

PeskyRooks · 05/04/2022 07:32

The thing I liked about Dot Cottons overall was that she jazzed it up with a little brooch!
I think brooches are due a comeback too!

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 05/04/2022 07:35

I saw LOADS recently at a market in Spain whilst on holiday. They looked pretty popular there

loadypoady · 05/04/2022 07:40

This thread has brought back memories of my dearly departed Nana. She always wore an overall (called that round our way) to protect her clothes and often asked for a new one for birthdays or xmas pressie.

Helenluvsrob · 05/04/2022 07:41

The market ?
Certainly seen them on thr markets in Spain

Aliceforgot · 05/04/2022 07:43

My Gran wore a light blue polyester tabard to do housework, always with skirt and nylon stockings and those heeled sensible slippers. Had a Ewbank but also an old Hoover. Other Grandmother had pink flowery quilted housecoats and a peach flowery tabard for during the day. Neither of my grandmothers ever wore trousers. Both were born before the 1920s, one in a northern mill town, her friends were all very Corrie, and she absolutely loved the programme. Happy days.

My post-war born mother wouldn't be seen dead in one but she does have 'house trousers'.

mellongoose · 05/04/2022 07:52

Yes to house coats and bed jackets in both my grandmother's houses. My nana also had these on the door between the kitchen and hallway.

Dot Cotton's housecoat