Dress up, dress down
Rest is a crucial element in sustaining a happy and healthy life and is often pushed aside to pursue productivity and all its perceived trappings of being bust. And while not everyone has the luxury of frequent relaxation time, even those who do will succumb to listening to that unkind inner voice and put themselves down for being ‘lazy’ and continue the unhealthy cycle. Not so at Long Barn, where we value taking pleasure in the small things that can enhance and bring us all a sense of joy and peace.
More time at home in recent years has seen us all making comfort more of a priority, which means we are all in the market for clothing that makes us feel good, and what could be comfier than adding a sumptuous pretty dressing gown to your wardrobe?
We spent a lot of time looking for loungewear that we could look good in and, more importantly, feel good to share with you. For us, the humble dressing gown isn’t simply just an easy alternative to getting dressed; the right robe can bring a touch of style to social isolation, too.
To take your dressing gown from functional to fabulous, choose one with a beautiful pattern made ethically in the UK. One hundred Stars is our first choice. Their gowns (sported by the Nigella Lawson’s midnight feast, no less) are made from a custom blend of modal and viscose, which creates a silky smooth touch. This lightweight design falls to an elegant long length and features a fold-over collar, complete with a self-tie waist belt and front patch pockets. This gown is perfect as a luxurious housecoat or for layering as a chic accessory to your favourite outfit.
Next, add accessories like earrings and a hairband in a matching fabric to create the illusion you have somewhere fabulous to be in a few hours, even though we’re all staying at home.
We’ve taken the difficulty out of finding the perfect dressing gown and gathered quality pieces which you feel comfortable to lounge in,” says our head buyer Claire Ashcroft. “Another key thing for us in choosing our range is what we call the tactility factor. People want to experience a little pleasure and softness in their daily lives; the touch of something helps us escape.”
According to Claire, the prospect of wearing a robe in the middle of the day shouldn’t give you any pause. “I think the best way to wear your bathrobe is with sleepwear or with a T-shirt and jeans. Especially with such uncertain times like these, it is essential to find moments of brief respite and make yourself feel good. A perfect dressing gown is above all comfortable, beautiful, and offers enough coverage to keep you decent at the breakfast table. Investing in the ideal dressing gown will give you plenty of options throughout the seasons.”
One Hundred Stars is a small family-run business that takes its ethical practices seriously. Whether it is ensuring all their products are printed only using AZO-free dyes, using recycled packaging wherever possible, and paying all their staff in the UK and abroad above the standard living wage. In addition, one Hundred Star’s garments are made in India following the highest ethical, environmental, health & safety standards.
“We work exclusively with another second-generation family business that manufactures all our products. This company is audited regularly and awarded certification SA 8000. This is a social audit that ensures there is no child labour, no bonded labour and employs all its skilled workers permanently.”
In addition, One Hundred Stars carries out its factory inspections once a year in person for extra peace of mind. To reduce wastage, they design items specifically to use off-cut or misprinted material. They donate 100% of proceeds from these sales to local charities that have included food banks, mental health services, community centers in deprived areas, and homeless centers.
A beautiful robe is an investment piece and a properly lovely gift too. They’re one of the few items of lingerie that are super practical and super glam – when you’re feeling a bit chilly at home, you can wrap up in a pretty robe to stay cozy while still looking fabulous. We have an exceptional selection from the masters of boudoir dressing ‘100 Hundred stars’ We also love the throw-it-on-and-go simplicity of their colourful and sustainable kimonos, which looks super stylish and easy on anyone.
Only available in store.
