Liberty & Co. tea gown of figured silk twill, c. 1887. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.2007.211.901.
A tea gown or tea-gown is a woman's dress for informal entertaining at home. These dresses, which became popular around the mid-19th century, are 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.[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]
"Emily Post’s book, Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home, contains some fascinating information on tea gowns; in fact, her introduction on tea gowns reads like a 19th Century novel."[6]
^Takeda and Spilker (2010), p. 112
^Vic (5 February 2012). "Downton Abbey Season 2: Teagowns and relaxation". Jane Austen's World. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^Favors, LaTasha. "Japanese Kimono History". USA TODAY.
^ abc"Terminology: What is a tea gown?". The Dreamstress. June 14, 2012.
^ abcdPost, Emily (1922). "Dress". Etiquette in society, in business, in politics and at home. Funk & Wagnalls Company.
^"Tea gowns are not for tea parties". T Ching. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
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