Edwardian Era Tea Gowns

When we think of ladies consuming tea late afternoon, we picture them dressed in white gowns sitting around the table and gossiping amongst themselves. The duchess of Bedford stated this tea drinking ritual in 1840 s. people took light meals along with their tea, mainly bread, butter, biscuits, cakes and tarts.

This habit of the duchess became a ritual at every house. This is why women put of tea gowns before they sat with their cups of tea. The tea gowns were attires which let the ladies breathe free. It was a comfortable dress and a contrast to the tight fitted robes of the day and of the night. The gown could be fastened easily on the female body. It was looked upon as an attire of seduction.

The Edwardian tea gown was an essential part of the wardrobe of women. Their wardrobe was not complete without the tea gowns. The Edwardian tea gowns were designed very intricately by the designers. They designed the gowns with great details. The velvet gowns and the satin ball dress were not created with so much of details.

The Edwardian tea gowns were a blend of comfort and style. Some women also wore just a loose cape made of chiffon on top of it and carried the tea gowns as evening wears. Some also wore them to dinner parties. The train of the Edwardian tea gowns was quite long. The sleeves were shorter in length. They were mainly worn during home dinner.

The gowns were, most of the times, collarless. The neck of the gown was v shaped.
The materials that made up these tea gowns were:
1. Soft silks
2. Satins
3. penne
4. chiffon velvets
The tea gowns of the later part of the Edwardian age were not two separate pieces of clothes, but one single piece of cloth. The Edwardian women often put on a loose tunic made of chiffon or silk.

The style of the tea gowns upholds the sophistication of women in the Edwardian society. The society was very fashion conscious. A lot of importance was given to clothes.