To ask what this garment is? (Photos included)

[Hiiyfgg]

My wealthy aunt gave me this a few years ago, and it’s hung in my wardrobe since because I was too embarrassed to ask what it is.

It feels like heavy silk and reminds me of an ultra posh dressing gown. Is that what it is? It’s so beautiful and it feels wrong for it to be used to watch Netflix of any evening. Could it be some sort of jacket or shawl? What is it, and how should it be worn? Can anyone tell me?

@TheAbbotOfUnreason

Is your aunt still around to ask?

Yes she is. I suppose I could now ask ‘oh I wore the kimono tonight - where did you get it again?’

Although that said, some people are saying it isn’t a kimono, and some are saying it is a dressing gown, so I still run the risk of her reaching with horror that I wore pyjamas out of the house.

I’ve sent her a message asking where she got it.

I’m clearly missing something if your aunt is available why not ask her? She’s best placed to answer

@DreamingofTimbuktu

I’m clearly missing something if your aunt is available why not ask her? She’s best placed to answer

Because she gave me it years ago and it looks a bit ungrateful to say all this time later ‘by the way Auntie X, what exactly is it?’

She’ll think I haven’t bothered wearing it because I didn’t like it/didn’t appreciate it. I should have asked at the time but I didn’t.

You can say that people have been admiring it and it would be lovely to know where it’s from / how old it is etc? Plus knowing the exact fabric will help when needing to get it cleaned.

@TheAbbotOfUnreason

You can say that people have been admiring it and it would be lovely to know where it’s from / how old it is etc? Plus knowing the exact fabric will help when needing to get it cleaned.

I have sent her a message. I will report her reply.

The link that PP posted is of a gown by the same designer no? The embroidery is identical.

@Philisophigal

It's a kimono. Usually worn as a fancy dressing gown.

This. We both loved ours and wore them for a decade. Ours were very heavy embroidered pure silk. They were gorgeous.

Ah it's gorgeous OP. Such a waste not to wear it though. Hanging up for years makes me sad in my middle.

@LadyLothbrook

The link that PP posted is of a gown by the same designer no? The embroidery is identical.

Almost certainly, but there are no real details on the link regarding designer etc, although it suggests it dates from 1920 to a European market.

My aunt has replied. She initially said she couldn’t remember and to Google the label. I said there wasn’t one, and she now thinks she got it from one of her suppliers in Toronto when she owned a clothes store. She says it was a sample hence no label.

Looks to me likd a smoking jacket.

I’d wear it over a black jumpsuit so that it looks more streamlined underneath. Black palazzo pants (wide legged glory trousers) look lovely with a kimono coat too.

I'mgoing to go with other posters and say Kimono. It was my 1st thought

To check if it is silk, you can use one of your rings (not one with big ornaments!), and pass the fabric through it. If it glides well through it, it is silk. If it catches a bit, it is not.

A house coat?

@AnakinthePadawhine

To check if it is silk, you can use one of your rings (not one with big ornaments!), and pass the fabric through it. If it glides well through it, it is silk. If it catches a bit, it is not.

A myth, apparently - www.google.co.uk/amp/s/mythailand.blog/2018/06/23/fake-thai-silk/amp/