Sip your latte and take a gander at Vogue 6153:
The Vintage Wiki listing describes it as a housecoat, but I vote for wearing it out and about whenever possible. Look at that princess seaming! The extended shoulders with a double layer of ruffles! The ruffles manage to look elegant instead of girly-girly (not that there's anything wrong with girly ruffles, of course.) I love the long-sleeved view -- it manages to be sexy and elegant without showing skin.
Sadly, the Vintage Wiki doesn't have the back view or even a pattern description. Does anyone out there have this beauty? Have you made it? And will you send it to me?