Informal Chinese Robe

This informal Chinese robe was made in the 19th century out of silk and metallic thread. It would have been worn by the wife of a mandarin for semi-formal or informal occasions along with an embroidered skirt, pants, or leggings.

It was fashionable in the last half of the 19th century for wealthy women to have these sorts of robes cut as large as possible, showing off how much silk their family was able to afford for a single garment. These robes or jackets were often embroidered with florals and scenes from every day life.