FREE AND EASY MANNERS IN LONDON SOCIETY.

Western Star, Issue 284, 15 February 1879, Page 2 (Supplement)

FREE AND EASY MANNERS IN LONDON SOCIETY.

Ladies who a few years ago would have considered the idea appalling, calmly array themselves in the glorified dressing robe known as a “tea gown,” and proceed to display themselves to the eyes of their admirers. The reason, perhaps, is not very far to seek. Certain adventurous dames, who determined some years since on the invasion of man’s last stronghold, the smoking room, arrayed themselves for conquest in bewitching robes de chambre, Their less enterprising sisters, not quite desiring to follow them to nocturnal extremities, were unwilling to be defrauded of the opportunity of adding another weapon to the arsenal of the toilet, hence the origin of the tea gown.. Of course, it in no way resembles the dressing-gown of utility. It is of elaborate design and infinite cost. It is worn for about an hour in the day, and yet, in a country house visit of a week, the same must on no account be exhibited more than twice, if, indeed, so much may be allowed. It is absolutely useless and utterly ridiculous ; but this is not the worst that may be said about it. It is, to all intents and purposes a deshabille; and so great is the force of association that the conversation is exceedingly apt, nay, almost certain, to become dishabille as well. The gentlemen in houses where tea gowns prevail relieve themselves of their shooting attire and re-appear very frequently in gorgeous smoking suits ; there is an ease and sans facan about the whole proceeding that favors laxity of discourse, and advantage is generally taken of the latitude afforded. At their first beginning tea gowns only put in an appearance when the beverage from which they take their name was dispensed in the hostess’s boudoir, and only a rare and favored specimen of the opposite sex was admitted on suffrance. But such oldfashioned prudery has long been thrown aside in the eager desire for more admirers of spell becoming raiment; the tea gowns have descended to the drawing-room and the hqll, and have become more marvellous and more yoyant in the transit. With the graceful negligi toilet there has come in a habit of lounging, which is certainly of most doubtful grace. Hands are not unfrequeptly to be seen, clasped above or behind the head, thus often liberally exhibiting the arm by the falling back of the loose sleeve; feet and ankles are lavishly displayed as dainty slippers are rested on the fender; m or o ardent spirits recline in ostentatious repose on various sofas. It is considered the thing to suit the action to the attire and exhibit in it the supremacy ot ease. In some very Bohemian establishments it is voted a bore to dress again for dinnerthat meal is partaken of in the easy masquerading attire, and, as a not unnatural sequel, there is a prompt adjournment to the smoking room and a brisk demand by the adies for cigarettes, —‘ London World,’