18th century court suit

This ensemble is a good example of the highly decorative clothes worn by men to court in the 18th century. The coatee, waistcoat and breeches are covered in the most exquisite embroidery. In the 18th century this was done entirely by hand and required attentiveness, dedication, and skill to master the various techniques.

The naturalistic design of foliage and flowers is typical of the time and includes a border of tiny clouds sprinkling alternate showers of rain and snow around the edge of the coatee and waistcoat. Considerable care has been taken to reflect the same intricate embroidered design onto each one of the buttons, which on the coatee, are designed purely for show. There are no button holes, there was need to button up the coatee as it was always worn open to display the decorative waistcoat underneath.

It would have been an extremely expensive purchase; it is reported that courtiers would mortgage their houses to enable them to pay for their court dress. In the 18th century your dress was your passport for entry into the royal court making it the preserve of only the very wealthy, a comment or invitation from the king or queen could reap life changing rewards.