dearjohnnies; The Fashionable Hospital Gown

What's your opinion of hospital gowns? A necessary evil? Scratchy and ill-fitting? Ugly, faded, possibly stained? Yep, me too. Yet considering the nature of most hospital stays, you need to have an easy access gown while receiving medical attention. So you probably did what I've done in the past and just dealt with the hospital issued gowns, silencing your inner fashionista. But there's a better way!! There's a hospital gown designed just for us ladies. It fits us better, and is available in cute patterns and colors that are sure to lift your spirits when you're not quite feeling yourself.

Dearjohnnies are "the get better hospital gown". Rachel Zinny created the line after spending her first birth in tired old hospital issued gowns. She wanted a gown that would raise her spirits, and look good in the umpteen million photographs sure to be taken during her hospital stay. Before her second birth she designed her own gowns, and the company has since grown by leaps and bounds. The line has expanded to include coordinating robes and swaddle blankets, and each piece can be monogrammed for an even more personalized touch.

Dearjohnnies are available in three collections: the Wellesley Collection features five prints in preppy, but traditional pinks, greens and blues; the Hanalei Collection features brighter prints and the Gramercy Collection features three fashion forward prints for those who prefer a less traditional look. The gowns come in three size ranges: size S/M typically fits women who are size 2-8; size L/XL fits size 10-16; and size Plus fits size 16-24. The gowns are 100% cotton, trimmed with grosgrain ribbon, featuring snap-down sleeves (for medical attention and/or breastfeeding) and snaps down the back.
I brought my own dearjohnnies gown to the hospital for Savannah's birth (and see? It even makes postpartum puffiness look fashionable!!). Since I only had one, I didn't wear it right away. I went ahead and wore the hospital issued gowns during surgery and my first few postpartum days. But when I was ready to get up and moving, I slipped into my dearjohnnies gown and it was so much more comfortable. It was softer and fit much better. And CUTE! I still had to wear a backwards robe when I walked the halls, as the snaps in the back gapped a bit and showed my unmentionables. (so definitely consider purchasing the coordinating dearjonnies robes!!).

I got great compliments on the gown from the nursing staff. They obviously knew right away that it wasn't the usual hospital gown, so I was quick to share dearjohnnies with them. But don't think these gowns are only for the maternity floor! Dearjohnnies would be a benefit to any woman undergoing medical treatment, or even during recovery at home (I confess...I've slipped into my dearjohnnies since being home. It's just comfy! And it's nice and loose against my C-section incision).

So if you're facing a hospital stay, or long-term medical treatment...or know someone who is, consider a dearjohnnies gown. They make excellent baby shower gifts as well, and even come in gift sets for just such an occasion. Remember, when you look better, you feel better! And when you feel better, you heal faster. So give dearjohnnies a try, and recover with a fashionable smile on your face!