- TikTok user Yasmine, known as @yasminesays, explained why some cultures use separate clothes for home and going out.
- Her video received more than 55,000 likes and 1,400 comments, prompting a wider discussion about “house dresses” and “home clothes.”
- Commenters from Caribbean, Black American and Chinese backgrounds described similar clothing practices in their families and communities.
Yasmine Explains the Cultural Tradition of “House Dresses”
TikTok user Yasmine, known as @yasminesays, has defended the practice of wearing designated clothing at home after an influencer faced backlash for saying she owns outfits specifically for wearing around the house.
Yasmine, who has Arabic and Iranian backgrounds, said some cultures commonly distinguish between “house dresses” or “house clothes” and outfits worn outside. In these households, people may change into clothing intended for home after returning from elsewhere, while pajamas are generally reserved for the bedroom.
Her video received more than 55,000 likes and 1,400 comments. Yasmine argued that the influencer might have faced less criticism if she had described the outfits as “loungewear,” a term more familiar to Western audiences as clothing worn for relaxing at home. “Cultures differ. It’s an actual thing,” Yasmine said while explaining why she did not understand the backlash over the influencer’s clothing choices.
In the TikTok caption, Yasmine asked: “But if she referred to it as ‘loungewear’ it’s more Westernly acceptable? ?” The post included the hashtags #housedress, #comfyclothes and #loungewear.
Commenters Share Their Own Home-Clothing Traditions
Yasmine’s explanation led TikTok users to discuss whether they change clothes when they arrive home. Several commenters said wearing separate home and outdoor clothing was a familiar practice in their families and cultures.
One commenter wrote, “My mom wears house dresses everyday and we are Caribbean. It’s normal,” while another said, “I’m a Black American. Every mother in my neighborhood wore a house dress. We used to call them ‘housecoats,’”
A commenter describing Chinese culture wrote, “Chinese culture is the same, you don’t put your outside clothes on the bed AT ALL. You might have breakfast in your pyjamas but you then dress in home clothes,”
Another user encouraged people to adopt the practice, writing, “We have ‘home clothes’ and ‘outside clothes,’ which is so normal. Who is this influencer? Because ppl should be influenced!”
Debate Over Wearing Jeans and Work Clothes at Home
The discussion also focused on whether people continue wearing jeans, work clothes or other outdoor outfits after returning home. Some commenters questioned why anyone would choose to remain in clothing they considered uncomfortable or unsuitable for relaxing.
“I’m so confused like people wear jeans in the house? Isn’t that uncomfortable?” one commenter asked.
Another user described their fiancé’s habit of wearing jeans or work clothes at home as unusual, writing, “I tried to explain this to my fiancé. He literally will sleep in jeans or his work clothes and that grosses me out. I always tell him you don’t wear outside clothes at home let alone in the bed. So now when he gets home, he changes to lounging clothes. Maybe I should get some dresses,”
The responses showed that designated home clothing is practiced across different families and cultural backgrounds, even though the specific garments and customs vary. The conversation did not establish one universal definition of “house dresses,” “house clothes” or “loungewear.”
Why This Matters
The discussion highlights how everyday clothing routines can reflect cultural expectations about cleanliness, comfort and the separation between public and private spaces. Yasmine’s video also showed how a familiar practice in one community may be misunderstood or criticized when described using unfamiliar language.
The Daily Dot said it was unable to independently verify the cultural practices described in Yasmine’s video or the circumstances surrounding the influencer’s original backlash. The discussion is based on @yasminesays’ explanation and comments from TikTok users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are “house dresses” or “house clothes”?
They are clothing items designated for wearing at home rather than outside. Yasmine said the practice exists in some Arabic, Iranian and other cultural and family settings.
Why did Yasmine mention “loungewear”?
Yasmine suggested that Western audiences may be more familiar with the term “loungewear,” which commonly refers to clothing worn for relaxing at home.
Is wearing separate home clothing limited to one culture?
No. TikTok commenters described similar practices in Caribbean, Black American and Chinese families, among other backgrounds. The specific customs differ by household and culture.