A mantua is an article of women's clothing worn in the late 17th century and 18th century. Initially a loose gown, the later mantua was an overgown or robe typically worn over stays, stomacher and either a co-ordinating or contrasting petticoat.
Mantua and petticoat of bizarre silk brocade, British, c. 1708 (MET)
Robe à la française, silk, pigment, linen. British, c. 1740s. Costume Institute: Metropolitan Museum of Art 1995.235a, b.
Robe à la polonaise, silk plain weave with supplementary warp- and weft-float patterning. France, c. 1775. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.70.85.
A 1750s court mantua showing the stylized back drapery (MET)
An overskirt is a type of women's short skirt which is draped over another garment, such as a skirt, breeches, or trousers. Although peplum is often used as another term for overskirt, it should not be confused with the peplos or "peplum dress", which was worn in ancient Greece.
A woman wearing a tunic-like overskirt and skirt.
A 1950s evening dress showing a short overskirt (or peplum)