When we hear the words Tea Dress, it instantly brings to mind an image of the elegant 1950s woman, however the history of the tea dress in fact dates back to the 1880s, and the Victorian era!
Originally called a Tea Gown, the early dresses were styled on the Japanese Kimono, with loose line , and flowing sleeves. They gained popularity, as a comfortable yet stylish alternative to the heavy boned corset dresses typical of this era . As well as being extremely uncomfortable and restrictive to wear, the corset dresses were detrimental to women’s health.
They could cause damage to internal organs as they were laced incredibly harshly ,and often women would faint as breathing could be restricted . However in keeping with the strict Victorian dress codes, any alternative would have to offer the same sense of style, elegance and modesty – Enter the tea gown !!!
In the beginning, as the tea gown was designed to be worn without a corset, they were very much an indoor dress predominantly worn during the daytime when women were receiving visitors for “tea”. However as we moved into the early 1900’s women became bolder and started to experiment with accessories , and styles ,they began wearing the dress to evening events and out of the home. By the 1920’s the tea gown had become a wardrobe staple, and was deemed to be acceptable attire for both inside & outside the home , day time or evening.
The tea dress as we know it today evolved throughout the 1920’s when there was a shift in the style of the tea dress towards shorter skirts with straight and loose silhouettes. Into the 1930s and 1940s there was a move toward higher fitted waistlines and longer skirts that finished below the knee, a style that is still as popular today as it was back then
What type of dresses were popular in the 1950s?
The 1950’s was an exciting time for women’s fashion, Women became far more liberated and experimental in how they dressed. Tight tops, with nipped in waists and full tea length skirts, the iconic swing dress became a fashion staple for both day and night .
The daytime dress was typically a full-skirted swing dress in simple cotton solids or patterned small prints, checks and thin stripes. The shirtwaist dress was the most popular design that buttoned up the full length of the front or just the bodice. They usually had short to 3/4 length sleeves and were often finished off with a thin 1950’s belt .
These swing daytime dresses could be accessorised and glammed up for evening or social events.
In direct contrast to the swing dress, the pencil dress first appeared in the fashion house of Christian Dior, and quickly gained popularity . The pencil dress embodied style, class & elegance. It enhanced and highlighted natural curves ,and became a defining element of 1950’s fashion , embodying class and sophistication. The sleek, form-fitting silhouette of pencil dresses was often paired with stilettos, creating an elegant and polished look that epitomised high fashion in the 1950’s
Why is a tea dress called a tea dress?
As the name suggests the tea dress was designed to be worn in the home , when entertaining guests for afternoon tea. It appeared at a time when women were seeking a more comfortable informal garment to wear as an alternative to the restrictive more formal gowns that were popular at the time. They wanted an outfit that would allow then to feel relaxed , and yet retain a modest fashionable style
How to tell if a dress is 1950s?
In conclusion the 1950s was a defining era for women’s fashion. Instantly identifiable by the elegant and stylish dresses favoured at that time. They were designed to create hourglass figures with emphasis on small waists and knee length skirts .
Whether it is the tea dress with its short sleeves and full knee length skirt and nipped in waist. The swing dress with its fitted waist and a looser skirt that would “swing” as you moved or the pencil dress which had a figure hugging cut, sharp silhouette, which tapered towards the knee .
It is safe to say that 50’s dresses epitomise a timeless glamour and style, that is as relevant and popular today as it ever was
