Georgian three-piece suit Georgian three-piece suit (1745)York Castle Museum
Men's Wedding Suit
This exhibition focuses on a magnificent eighteenth-century man's suit, worn for a wedding,
revealing details that tell a story about the fashions of the day and the men
who wore them.
Colours and materials
In the mid eighteenth century pastel colours were very fashionable for the aristocracy. Easy to get dirty and difficult to clean, they needed a lot of attention from servants. Men and women alike wore pale shades to show their wealth and status.
The suit is made of silk and linen.
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
The original lace still hangs at the cuffs.
Craftsmanship
A suit like this represents thousands of hours of work, from spinning the threads to weaving the cloth, to the embroidery and lace.
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
Measurements
The waist is 89cm (35 inches) and the chest is 94.5cm (37 ¼ inches).
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
Details
Large pocket flaps were very popular, but there were not always pockets underneath.
S-shape
Men’s clothing uses stiff reinforcement in waistcoats and jackets to give a fashionable body shape. Although they look less restrictive than women’s clothes, men’s suits encouraged similar stiff, formal poses and graceful movement.
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
Movements
The coat is lined with pink silk, which would have showed as the wearer walked.
Georgian three-piece suit Georgian three-piece suit (1745)York Castle Museum
Styling
Jackets were worn open at the front to show expensive embroidered waistcoats.
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
Curve-shape
Sleeves are cut with a curve to allow the arm to bend without needing the sleeve to be too wide.
Breeches
Breeches were buttoned just below the knee, showing off knitted silk stockings.
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
Breech liners and shirts
Under their breeches, men wore breech liners, the linen forerunners of men’s underpants. Breech liners and shirts were changed daily and washed, while outerwear was spot cleaned and aired.
Georgian three-piece suitYork Castle Museum
Coat tail
Coat tails were divided at the back for horse riding.
Men's Wedding Suit
York Castle Museum
Object from York Castle Museums Costume & Textile Collection
Collections photography
Robert Wake, M Faye Prior, Martin Fell
Text
M Faye Prior, Alison Bodley