Anyone for Tea?

My dear friend recently sent me an article which focused on "tea gowns." Before reading this article, I had only been vaguely aware of their existence. And I'm assuming many of you are the same. So, please allow me to indulge in a little history.

Apparently, many women were having health issues connected to corsets. So, in the late 1870's, the tea dress was developed, to be worn sans corset. It was originally meant to be worn solely at home around tea time (obviously). Women warmed to these comfortable clothing alternatives so quickly, that by 1888 Mrs. Johnstone wrote in The  Woman's World, "Dressmakers are directing more attention to tea-gowns than almost any other style of dress, the demands are  so great."

The thing that is most wonderful to me about the advent and subsequent popularity of the tea gown is that, since these articles of clothing were solely used at home, women were free to design and embellish these gowns however they wanted. As a result, they quickly became very elaborate and decorative. Mrs. Johnstone wrote, "the loose, unconventional robe is not influenced by the last decree of fashion and the wearer's personality seems to have scope for freer expression in this picturesque garment."

Of course, as time passed, it slowly became more acceptable to wear these gowns to more then just tea, and then even outside of the home. (gasp!) By the 1920's, the tea gown had made way for such things as "boudoir gowns," and "tea jackets," and then "afternoon" or "cocktail frocks." Unfortunately, by the 1930's they had pretty much disappeared. 

It could just be the Downton Abbey in me speaking, but I sort of like the idea of changing outfits throughout the day. I love the idea that certain clothes are meant to be worn for certain occasions. But modernity has won out, and we are all left here with one boring outfit per day, drooling over the delicate flounces and laces of history.

*Special thanks to Beth Burkhiser and Tea Time magazine.