Coat

In the 18th century a man’s suit was not necessarily all made of the same fabrics. Sometimes the coat and waistcoat were of the same material, sometimes the coat and breeches, and sometimes all were made of different colours and fabrics. This ensemble from the 1740s was made to be worn together, but it consists of contrasting green and red wool. Both are trimmed with a wide braid of silver-gilt thread. Typical of the style of men’s dress of this period, the coat is collarless. It fits tightly to the body, but has very full skirts pleated to the sides at the hip. The sleeve cuffs are not quite as deep as they were in the 1730s.