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Gown

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A gown is a long garment that covers much of the body. The name comes from the Latin word "gunna." Historically, it was a loose outer layer. It reached from the knees to the floor. Both men and women wore these garments in Europe. This tradition began in the Early Middle Ages. It continued through the 17th century. Today, the term has many different meanings. It can describe a formal dress or a nightgown. It also refers to professional clothing used in ceremonies.

Modern gowns can be divided into several specific types. A ball gown is a very fancy dress for formal events. A wedding gown is worn for marriage ceremonies. Some gowns are for specific settings, like a hospital gown. Others are for comfort, such as a dressing gown or a tea gown. In schools, people wear academic dress. This often includes a cap and a gown. These different styles serve very different purposes in our lives.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

Construction methods for gowns have changed over many centuries. In the 17th century, American colonial gowns often featured decorative trimming. This trim might appear around the neck or down the bodice. Some gowns were open in the front. These had decorations running from the neck to the hem. Makers used materials like silk and ribbons for these borders. In the 18th century, women in the American colonies wore shorter gowns for work. These were T-shaped in their basic structure. They used side godets to create extra volume in the fabric.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

History shows how gowns evolved from simple layers to complex fashion. During the Early Middle Ages, Anglo-Saxon women wore the gunna. This was a long, loose garment. People also called it a cote, a surcoat, or a robe. By the 12th and 13th centuries, students at European universities used gowns. They wore them along with hoods. These items helped indicate a student's social status. From the 14th to the 17th centuries, the word "gown" described almost any long, robe-like garment.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

In the 1500s, Italian fashion featured unique styles of gowns. Women wore a gown known as a camora. The shape of the camora changed throughout that century. At the start, it had a high waist and a low neckline. By the end of the 1500s, it had a low waist and a high neckline. Italian women also wore an overgown called a vestito or a roba. For extra warmth, they might wear a robone. This was a heavy robe lined with fur or other fabrics. By the late 16th century, gowns in Italy were mostly for professional roles.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

Professional gowns remain very important in modern society. These garments are used to show a person's official station. Academics, judges, and some clergy members wear them today. This tradition became a formal uniform during the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 18th century, men also had their own version. They wore a long, loose gown called a Banyan. This served as an informal coat. These professional gowns connect our modern ceremonies to the Middle Ages.

Ball gown MET DT7579
Ball gown MET DT7579

The study of gowns connects to many different fields. Historians look at them to understand how people lived. Fashion experts study the materials, like silk and cotton, used in their making. The evolution of the gown shows how social status and professional roles are displayed through clothing. Whether it is a formal ball gown or a judicial robe, these garments carry deep meaning. They reflect the history and the customs of the people who wear them.

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File:Ball gown MET DT7579.jpg
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