Gown

This article is about the item of female clothing. For academic gowns, see Academic dress.

A gown is a woman's corresponding dress for white tie and black tie events.

What it is

A long loose flowing garment, the gown is a type of dress.

The ball gown is an evening dress with a full skirt, possibly with open back and low neck line. Elbow-length gloves are a nice addition, especially for a ball.

To accompany the gentleman wearing a kilt, a lady may wear a longer kilted skirt, with jacket. The kilted skirt may be of the same tartan, or of the ladies clan.

When it is worn

With evening wear of the formal white tie, the lady appears in a ball gown.

A long to full-length skirt may be more appropriate for the less formal black tie event. A cocktail gown, a shorter skirt variant, may also be acceptable.