Tea gown
A tea gown or tea-gown is a woman's at-home dress for informal entertaining which became popular around the mid 19th century characterized by unstructured lines and light fabrics. Early tea gowns were a European development influenced by Asian clothing and historical approach from the 18th century which led to the renaissance time period of long and flowing sleeves.[1][2] Part of this European sense of fashion came from the Japanese Kimono which was worn by Japanese women during a wedding or any formal ceremonies.[3]
Tea gowns were intended to be worn without a corset or assistance from the maid; however, elegance always came first.[4]
During the 19th century, it was not appropriate for women to be seen in public wearing a tea gown.[4] They were intended to be worn indoors with family and close friends during a dinner party.[4][5]
Although tea gowns were meant for midday wear, they could be worn into the evening.[5] Women started wearing tea gowns in the evening for dinner or certain events at home with close friends and family by 1900.[5] Tea gowns intended for day wear usually had high necks, while evening tea gowns had lower necks.[5]
Notes
- ↑ Takeda and Spilker (2010), p. 112
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References
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- Takeda, Sharon Sadako, and Kaye Durland Spilker, Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700 - 1915, LACMA/Prestel USA (2010), ISBN 978-3-7913-5062-2
