tea gown

noun

1. a semiformal gown of fine material, especially one styled with soft, flowing lines, worn for afternoon social occasions.

tea gown

noun

1. (formerly) a long loose decorative dress worn esp when entertaining guests to afternoon tea

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea gown¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

I suspect it is the property of Countess Andrenyi, since her luggage contained only a chiffon negligee so. elaborate as to be more a tea gown than a dressing gown.

Read more on Literature

One model wore a floral tea gown with furry slippers—a supple combination of thirties débutante and fifties housewife.

Read more on The New Yorker

Modeled by cool, white mannequins are bras, panties, girdles, corsets and petticoats; night gowns, dressing gowns and tea gowns; peignoirs, bustles, chemises and slips; negligees, pajamas, body stockings, teddies and bustiers.

Read more on New York Times

The drawings he showed me started with 19th-century bustles and court uniforms, progressing through to Edwardian tea gowns and Norfolk jackets, and a final array of 21st-century couture.

Read more on The Guardian

Within a few moments two girls wearing dainty tea gowns, stole quietly down the stairway and stood in the center of the stage, discussing their approaching entertainment.

Read more on Project Gutenberg