Not the stiff, structured wool of a tailored coat, nor the scratchy lace of a going-out top, but the forgiving, cloud-like embrace of something you put over your actual clothes. Or, let’s be honest, instead of your actual clothes.
I have interpreted this as a cultural and practical trend piece about the rise of "over clothes" (loungewear, robes, kaftans, shackets, and blanket scarves) as the dominant uniform for modern living, blurring the lines between WFH comfort, street style, and stay-at-home entertainment. The Great Un-Dressing: Why "Over Clothes" Are Now the Only Clothes
You wear your "hard clothes" (jeans, a blouse) to the Zoom meeting. But the second the camera is off? The blanket scarf goes on. You layer a quilted gilet over a hoodie to take the dog out, and suddenly you’re ready for a farmer’s market aesthetic. You throw a silk robe over your pajamas to answer the door for a delivery, and you look intentional, not lazy. The "entertainment" component of this lifestyle is where the psychology gets interesting. In the 20th century, "getting ready for a night out" meant Spanx, heels, and a clutch. Today, "getting ready for a night in" is a ritual of layering.
There is a specific texture to modern life, and it is fleece.
From the sofa to the supermarket to the streaming party, the robe is the new little black dress.
Just don’t forget to mute your mic before you burp.