Most gowns open in the back. I know, I know—it feels wrong. You want to cover your butt, not show it off like it’s art. But the open-back design is for doctors to access your back or sides without stripping you naked. Resist the urge to wear it like a bathrobe with the opening in the front unless you specifically want to give everyone a free show.
Before you even start tying, hold the gown up by the shoulder seams. Look for those skinny fabric ties—they’re your lifeline. If you see them dangling near your neck, that’s the inside back. If they’re on the outside front, you’ve got it backwards. Flip it around.
The Art of the Tie
Now, the ties. Those little strings are despicable. They slip through your fingers, they knot into tiny disasters, and they always seem to be just slightly too short. My trick? Don’t try to tie them behind your back like a contortionist. Twist the gown around your body first. Put your arms through the sleeves, then wrap the back flaps around you like a burrito. Reach behind you to grab the top pair of ties at your neck, and tie them in front of your throat (yes, in front). Then, with the gown still twisted, reach down for the waist ties and tie those at your side. It’s a cheat move, but it keeps the gown from flapping open every time you sneeze.
If you’re in a room with a curtain and a call button, you have time to do the “backward tie.” Simply put the gown on with the opening in the front, tie the neck ties behind your neck (like a backwards bib), then reverse the whole thing and turn the gown around. It sounds insane, but it works. I learned this from a ninety-year-old grandma who had better fashion sense than I ever will.
How To Put On A Hospital Gown (step-by-step Guide) | TAFT Independent
