Robe à l'anglaise

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Linen gowns, plain versions of contemporary dress, were popular with gentlewomen for morning wear in the English countryside. These gowns were very sensible, as they could be laundered often and still retain a fresh appearance. They were often decorated with embroidery, usually stitched by the wearer herself. Embroidery was considered a gentle, feminine occupation for ladies of all classes of society. The lively floral embroidery on this day dress was probably done from a ready-made pattern, although the embroiderer has individualized the floral bouquets.

The Costume Institute

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand objects represents seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present.

Metropolitan Museum of Art