Medium: Wool

Date: 1913-1915

Country: USA

Credit: Museum purchase

British colonial military uniforms made from khaki-colored cotton twill inspired the classic safari wardrobe (“khaki” is the Urdu word for “dusty”). Instantly recognizable, safari hunting jackets, shirts, trousers, shorts, and even pith helmets became codified by the late 1800s. Safari essentials moved from the battlefield to urban environments thanks to the rise of specialty retailers such as Abercrombie and Fitch, once America’s premier retailer for the elite sportsman. Founded in 1892, the firm was famed for its sprawling, twelve-story emporium, as well as its top-notch catalogs that were mailed to customers worldwide.

Object Number: P92.5.13