The concept of this type of garment developed over the second half of the nineteenth century throughout middle-class and elite western society. Teagowns were a form of “undress,” meaning they were worn only inside the home and never out in public. They were not underwear but rather a fashionable choice for women to receive and entertain friends informally in the morning or afternoon. The wearing of teagowns was not restricted to the serving or drinking of tea.

The style really starts to appear with the name “teagown” around the 1870s and continued into the early twentieth century. The gowns generally followed the fashionable silhouette and look of the day but had a looser fit than other daywear or eveningwear, intending to convey that sense of informality. Women could choose to wear a corset or not underneath a teagown, to don house slippers and leave their heads bare and hair largely unadorned.

Apart from the back pleats, the back of the teagown is fitted to the body, held in place with an internal tape to tie around the waist. The gown front comprises a loose, gathered panel of ^{silk lace}silk lace Lace is a delicate, web-like fabric that can be hand or machine-made. The silk lace on the teagown was likely machine-made. While modern lace is often made from cotton and synthetic fibre, silk thread is a traditional material. underlined with satin-striped silk broadcloth.

The primary fabrics are a costly, heavy ^{silk faille (ribbed silk)}silk faille (ribbed silk) Silk Faille is a closely woven fabric with a fine ribbed texture. It’s similar to taffeta but is thicker and stiffer and can hold its shape on its own. As such, it’s often chosen for more structured and tailored garments. Faille can also be made from rayon and cotton.—used for most of the body of the gown panels, the collar and the main portions of the sleeves and sleeve cuffs—and silk lace woven with stylized strawberry and raspberry motifs—used for the gathered centre front panel, the front and shoulder flounce and the sleeves. Wide ^{silk moiré}silk moiré Silk moiré, sometimes called watered silk, has a wavy or “watered’ appearance. It is typically produced through a finishing process called calendering. ribbon was used for the front sash. Linings and facings comprise ^{silk taffeta}silk taffeta Taffeta is a crisp, lightweight, fabric, typically with a lustrous appearance. Its name comes from the Persian word for silk, tāfta. Today, taffeta is most commonly made from polyester. Taffeta has a distinctive rustle called “scroop”., ^{silk broadcloth}silk broadcloth Broadcloth is a medium-weight fabric with thin ribs, often used to make shirts and blouses. Traditionally made with wool and often cotton, the satin-striped silk broadcloth used for the teagown is a luxurious variety. with a woven satin stripe and glazed and twill cottons.