1890s At-Home Gown
Description
Blue cotton chambray tea gown with chainstitch embroidery trim and large leg-o-mutton sleeves; a) dress, b) bustle pad
a.) Dress
Dress has the appearance of a pleated under gown with fitted open outer robe but it is all one piece, closing at CF with small diameter but thick mother-of-pearl whistle buttons. Only 3 buttons appear at the waist, which is tightly gathered in several rows giving an appearance of smocking. This is repeated with less rows at the CF neck. The 3 buttons are stitched to the outside, hiding a hook and eye closure underneath. The bodice has an undyed cotton lining/underbodice.
The outer robe has large leg of mutton sleeves that end in deep cuffs trimmed with white cotton chain-stitch embroidery. The same embroidery motif appears at the hem of the robe, only reversed. A smaller with panel of chain-stitch embroidery creates the 2 front edges of the robe that continue into the collar which stands up to frame the neck. Embroidery is on the inside and outside of the collar that is gathered in back to fit into the neck curve. The robe has no waist seam, but princess fitting darts and seams only CB and side backs to accommodate extra fullness for the bustle pad and width of hem.
a.) Dress
Dress has the appearance of a pleated under gown with fitted open outer robe but it is all one piece, closing at CF with small diameter but thick mother-of-pearl whistle buttons. Only 3 buttons appear at the waist, which is tightly gathered in several rows giving an appearance of smocking. This is repeated with less rows at the CF neck. The 3 buttons are stitched to the outside, hiding a hook and eye closure underneath. The bodice has an undyed cotton lining/underbodice.
The outer robe has large leg of mutton sleeves that end in deep cuffs trimmed with white cotton chain-stitch embroidery. The same embroidery motif appears at the hem of the robe, only reversed. A smaller with panel of chain-stitch embroidery creates the 2 front edges of the robe that continue into the collar which stands up to frame the neck. Embroidery is on the inside and outside of the collar that is gathered in back to fit into the neck curve. The robe has no waist seam, but princess fitting darts and seams only CB and side backs to accommodate extra fullness for the bustle pad and width of hem.
Source
HCT.2002.6.3
Date
1894-1896
Fiber/Fabric Information
Cotton
Decade
1890-1899
Files
Collection
Citation
“1890s At-Home Gown,” Fashion2Fiber, accessed December 18, 2024, https://fashion2fiber.osu.edu/items/show/5125.
Item Relations
Item: Campus Fashion: 150 Years of College Style | depicts | This Item |