Mens Autumn Colours checked Wool Robe - Medium
This shawl collared dressing gown is made from a glorious woollen blanket that every Australian of a certain vintage remembers growing up with. Instead of duvets, they kept us toasty warm in the winter, often stacked two and three thick in the middle of winter.
No two gowns are ever alike as it is nearly impossible to find multiples of the same blanket, unless they were originally purchased together. Each little woollen mill in Victoria, around Melbourne, made their own unique colour combination and as the fashions changed from decade to decade, so did the feature colours. Sadly, almost all of these little woollen mills no longer exist. I have been collecting these gorgeous blankets for years and have rarely come across multiples of the same.
Where possible for the lining, I use vintage bed sheets if I can find them, otherwise I use 100% cotton fabrics which have been reclaimed, such as factory overruns or from unused lengths of fabrics recycled from someone else's stash.
Each blanket is fully sanitised in wool wash and eucalyptus oil before it is cut and sewn. Each gown is a one-off bespoke piece.
Blanket dressing gowns are super heavy. They are for those whose home is not well heated, or if you really feel the cold.
*This dressing gown is made of two single sized blankets from the 1970's that have been lovingly up-cycled and repurposed into this wonderful dressing gown. If you remember the 1970's you'll instantly recognise this colour combo of oranges, yellow and brown.
*The lining of this dressing gown is a 100% cotton from my stash, featuring some very retro clocks.
*All buttons are vintage buttons from the 1940's-60's.
*Even the back of the neck is lined so the wool does not touch your skin.
*There are two hidden pockets in the side seams.
*In the photographs, the cuffs are turned up but can easily be unfolded down for gents with longer arms.
*The sleeve hems and bottom hem are both hand sewn so that if you need to alter the length of either, this can be done very easily if you are handy, or by your alterationist. The sleeves have at least 6cm (2.5") spare length to let down if you need to make them longer.
*The entire length of the front edges of the robe and around the collar is blanket stitched by hand.
*Measurements for the MEDIUM : (These measurements are of the garment, not of the person wearing it)
-The overall length of the gown is: MEDIUM: 52" (132cm), measured from the back of the neck to the bottom hem
-The shoulder measures 25" (64cm) across the back. It is a slight drop shoulder.
-The sleeve length is 23.5" (60cm), unfolded.
-Measurement at the chest of the robe is 50" (127cm) with the buttons done up.
-The total measurement around the waist is 51" (130cm) with a 6" (15cm) overlap at the front with buttons done up.
-Shaping at the waist can be achieved with the tie belt and the buttons are there so there so the gown does not gape open.
-Measurement of the robe at the hips is 54" or 137cm, with the robe buttoned up at that front.
