tea gown

American  

noun

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

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tea gown British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of tea gown

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.

From Literature

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

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Project Gutenberg