I messed up on this one - I would find not having a dresser super weird too! I do have one, I just think of wardrobes/armoires as these crazy elaborate British hiding-from-the-bombs-and-going-to-Narnia contraptions, which are very different from my humble it-has-drawers thing.

Ohhh, I've pinpointed it! The difference in my mind is that a wardrobe is basically a free-standing closet - doors open, and your clothes are all hung up. Whereas a dresser or chest has pull-out drawers that you place clothes in. One is for stuffy rich peeps, and the other is for average Joes. :)