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Gown

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A gown is a special kind of long clothing. The word comes from the Latin word gunna. It usually means a loose garment that reaches the knees or the floor. People of all genders have worn them for a very long time. Today, the word can mean many different things. It might describe a fancy dress for a party. It can also mean a nightgown for sleep.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

Making a gown can involve many different styles. In the 17th century, some gowns had decorations. These might include silk or colorful ribbons. Some gowns were open in the front. These had trim from the neck down to the bottom edge. In the 18th century, women in the American colonies wore short gowns. These were T-shaped and used extra fabric to add volume.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

History shows us how gowns have changed over many centuries. In the Early Middle Ages, Anglo-Saxon women wore a gunna. This was a long and loose outer layer. It was also called a cote, a surcoat, or a robe. Students at early European universities wore gowns in the 12th and 13th centuries. They also wore hoods with their gowns. These items helped show a student's status at school.

Different places had their own names for gowns. In the 1500s, women in Italy wore a gown called a camora. The look of the camora changed during that century. It started with a high waist and low neckline. By the end of the century, it had a low waist. Italian women also wore an overgown called a vestito. They might wear a robone over it for warmth. This robe was lined with fur or other fabrics.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

Many people still wear gowns in professional jobs today. This tradition started in the 16th and 17th centuries. These garments became a formal uniform for certain roles. You might see gowns worn by academics at a school. Judges in a courtroom also wear them. Some members of the clergy wear gowns too. Even in the 18th century, men wore a gown called a Banyan. This was a loose and informal coat.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579
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File:Ball gown MET DT7579.jpg
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