‘The great heart of the robe industry is cracking. If the robe men could install robes in the domiciles of America half as fast as the landlords put in showers, the story of robes would be less melancholy. Before men can preen and strut in house gowns they must learn the uses of the ordinary blanket robe, it appears. Although a great deal has been said and written regarding the progress of masculine negligee, the business is apparently still in its infancy.

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Ralph Lauren, Black Label suit, size 52EU

“Less than 10 per cent of the men in the United States wear bathrobes,” said one of the leading wholesalers a few days ago. “The other 90 per cent are still peering furtively up and down the hall before doing a Nurmi as far as the bath. Robes of all sorts have made tremendous strides, but the great mass of men who go to the polls regularly and otherwise function as intelligent and and progressive bipeds have still to make the acquaintance of the plain or garden variety of bathrobe. The higher education, leading to the brocades, can hardly be undertaken until the knobby silhouettes everywhere now over-apparent, are draped. The American Indian wore a blanket and that much must be said for his modesty. The modern American takes his chances with the 19th amendment, forbidding immodest exhibitions.

“In my opinion the comparative lack of progress in the robe business is due to merchants and merchandise managers, who do not exploit the line except at holiday time.” Until the merchants themselves take a greater interest in robes the American can be safely accused of spending all his money to make a showing in public places.’

~ Mens Wear magazine, editorial article, August 22, 1925