Theatrical woman's robe

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record

During the Qing Dynasty, men played both male and female roles in plays and operas. Stage decoration and scenery were kept to a minimum, so the audience’s attention needed to be captured by dramatic, exaggerated costumes and stage makeup to ensure the characters were recognizable. This robe would almost certainly have been over-the-top as everyday wear, but on stage its bright pink color and butterfly design were necessary for dramatic effect. China, Asia