The house dress seems to have gotten a bad rep, but several have become fashion statements in their own right.   Jack Nicholson famously criticised the red and white dress worn by Helen Hunt’s character in As Good As It Gets and many a 50s homemaker is depicted in the ubiquitous frumpy frock. But the dress has carved its place as an icon, gracing the runways of designers like Emilio Pucci, Roberta di Camerino, and Diane Von Furstenberg. It’s come a long way since its start as a simple garment made for house work. Worn by women for decades, the dress has evolved from a practical piece to a stylish piece of inspiration. In the upcoming book, The House Dress: A Story of Eroticism and Fashion by Elda Danese, its evolution is chronicled with pictures, history, and a look into Italian films where the house dress defined the leading ladies. The book will be available in January for $19.95. ~ Erin Dustin