The gown, which was a major component of men’s wear in the sixteenth century, had moved in two different directions by the beginning of the seventeenth century. On the one hand it was a designator of occupation, becoming the wear of the legal, academic, and medical professions, and being worn by mayors, aldermen and burgesses of towns. On the other hand, it became the nightgown, a loose gown worn informally within the house, as can be seen in Samuel Pepys comment “Up, and in my night gowne, cap and neckcloth, undressed all day long.” (1 p. 30 July 1665)