Nova Loungewear ??

[amd70]

I found this exceptionally cool piece at a thrift shop in Minnesota. I would like to know more about it but I can't find anything online. Does anyone know this history of this brand or a general date? One piece dress, it has a polyester (?), light, dress shirt type top with a heavier quilted skirt.Any shred of information or commentary is appreciated!

 

[lkranieri]

NOVA Loungewear was apparently owned by Benjamin Noble Inc:

and Benjamin Noble Inc apparently operated out of Philadelphia, per this 1974 classified ad:

 

[Pinkcoke]

Great print! I'd wear that in a heartbeat - it's a dressing gown, or robe. The quilted skirt is for extra warmth.

 

[StelmaDesigns]

Hi, your dress dates to the 70s. Note the large pointed collar. Quilted maxi skirts were popular then as well as that button down style bodice. Very nice find! I bet someone today would wear it as a dress and not a robe.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Ikranieri's advert states they are a robe manufacturer. Their other brand is lingerie so it didn't sound to me as though they did dresses. I would go so far as to call it a house dress, but not something to wear outside, it looks too much like you should be wearing slippers and holding hot chocolate- although you're right it wouldn't stop anyone today

 

[amd70]

Thank you all for your help!

That you have the old wanted ad is incredible Ikranieri. Thank you.

 

[amd70]

I can't seem to find another example of their work anywhere.

 

[lkranieri]

Here is the original trademark information, where you can see that the Nova name was first used in 1968...

 

[StelmaDesigns]

Brunch coats? Who knew? I have never heard that garment term!

 

[retro ruth]

yes, me neither, what a wonderful idea, brunch coats!

They must be for Ladies Who Brunch.

 

[retro ruth]

One piece dress, it has a polyester (?), light, dress shirt type top with a heavier quilted skirt.

By the way, re the fabric, you've got it in your hand so you can tell best, but I wondered if it might be a poly-cotton blend? It doesn't quite read like pure polyester, but it's hard to know from a photograph.

I have to say I've never seen a housecoat or loungewear piece, where only one half of the body was quilted, quite unusual.

 

[StelmaDesigns]

Swap out the waist tie for a leather belt, I think it looks very wearable outside for the brave fashion type. The reason being, there are no buttons down the front of the skirt that make it read "bathrobe" to me at least. Picture it on the Anthropologie website with thick platform wedges, haha! Perfect for the "ladies who brunch" Ruth! I'm just musing, don't mind me....

 

[Jonathan]

My mother loved wearing those in the early 70s and she called them hostess gowns. I remember her wearing them for at-home entertaining - parties, Sunday night dinner, and especially when we had guests for dinner.