Object: Man's suit
Date: c. 1845
Medium: Cotton and linen
Country: USA
Credit Line: Museum purchase
Object number: P86.17.1
DescriptionMan's three-piece summer suit in brown and beige cotton / linen, each piece with a distinct check pattern; elongated jacket with high notch collar and self covered buttons and tabs; tapered leg pants with slant pocket variation and buckled back half belt; shawl collar vest
Label Text:As the simple wool of British country gentlemen gradually replaced French-inspired ornamental silk, the tailored suit became the uniform of 19th-century Europe's rising bourgeoisie. Men from all levels of society began to wear the suit, especially in the United States, as technical advancements in production allowed manufacturers to offer affordable, ready-to-wear versions. Custom-tailored ensembles remained the expensive province of the wealthy, and although increasingly rare, men were able to ornament their dark garb with colorful waistcoats, or opt for muted patterns, like the simple checked textile.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions:
- His and Hers
- The Tailor's Art