Tea gown from Doucet
A light, lace-laden afternoon gown in pastels from the Belle Époque.
The tea gown was a looser dress women could wear at home in the afternoon, often without a tight corset. Doucet was famous for them. Examples are in the Metropolitan Museum and the Musée Galliera.
Materials: Silk, chiffon, lace, embroidery
Manufacture: Layers of sheer fabrics and lace over a silk foundation, with hand appliqué.
The floating layers of lace and chiffon in pale pink, lilac or grey.
The S-shaped silhouette of around 1900.