Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715 - 2015

Drawing primarily from LACMA’s renowned collection, Reigning Men celebrates three hundred years of restraint and resplendence in menswear.

Ensemble (Fall/Winter 2009-10) by Johnson Hartig for LibertineLos Angeles County Museum of Art

INTRODUCTION

Histories of fashion have tended to focus primarily on womenswear, with menswear often appearing as little more than a side note to the main story. "Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715–2015" directly challenges the equation of fashion with femininity in this survey spanning three hundred years of fashionable men’s dress, organized in five thematic sections: REVOLUTION/EVOLUTION, EAST/WEST, UNIFORMITY, BODY CONSCIOUSNESS and THE SPLENDID MAN. Drawing primarily from LACMA’s renowned permanent collection, "Reigning Men" makes illuminating connections between history and high fashion, traces cultural influences over the centuries, and celebrates a rich history of restraint and resplendence in menswear.

Museum Exhibition /// Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715–2015Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Go behind-the-scenes as curators at LACMA undertake the painstaking process of dressing the mannequins for "Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715-2015."

Ensemble from the “Cut and Slash” collection (Spring/Summer 1991) by Vivienne Westwood (detail)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

REVOLUTION/EVOLUTION

For centuries, men’s fashions have undergone revolutions in dress and evolutions of style that mirror similar shifts in society. This section studies historical fashion cycles while underscoring that the fashionable man has always been a part of society, constantly reinventing himself and often borrowing from his forefathers. 

A view of REVOLUTION/EVOLUTION installed at LACMA.

Macaroni Ensemble (circa 1770)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

MACARONI

Influenced by continental styles, the macaroni — named after the Italian pasta dish enjoyed by well-to-do young Englishmen on the “Grand Tour” of the European continent — dressed to assert his cosmopolitan outlook. At a time when British men wore looser silhouettes, the macaroni wore ensembles that were noticeable for their bright colors and slim cuts.

Incroyable Ensemble (1790s)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

REVOLUTION AND ANARCHY

During the final period of the French Revolution, gangs of young men roamed the streets of Paris wearing tight, extravagantly cut tail coats and cropped pantaloons, often in conspicuously striped fabrics. These incroyables, or “incredible ones,” were fashion extremists whose outrageous appearance, so different from their forefathers, illustrated the instability of the period. Centuries later, Walter Van Beirendonck appropriated the look, eclipsing its excesses with skin-tight leather trousers and a superbly tailored, orange frock coat (see next page).

Ensemble from the "Revolution" collection (Fall/Winter 2000-2001) by Walter Van BeirendonckLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Punk Jacket (1978-83)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Punks used a variety of do-it-yourself strategies in creating their personal anti-fashion statements, as typified by this leather jacket. Its patches and button badges display the wearer’s affinity for bands such as the Ramones, as well as for CBGB, the New York music club. Metal tops from disposable cigarette lighters edge the collar, lapel, and cuffs, while the zipper pulls are adorned with a cross with a blade, miniature pistols, and a skull.

Teddy Boy Jacket (1950s)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

AESTHETE AND HIPPIE

Following World War II, some London tailors resurrected elements of Edwardian-era styles, creating a look that was characterized by long single-breasted jackets with narrow shoulders and velvet trim. Originally worn by the wealthy, the neo-Edwardian style was soon adopted by young working-class men, albeit with more exaggeration and color. Though “Teddy boys” (as they were dubbed, after the traditional nickname for Edward) were considered delinquents by the popular press, these modern-day dandies were precursors to the 1960s Peacock Revolution of flamboyant dress for men.

Zoot Suit (1940-42)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

YOUTH AND REBELLION

Flamboyant in style and exaggerated in proportion, zoot suits were born from the swing clubs and dance halls frequented by urban youths in the 1930s and early 1940s. This extremely rare example, probably from Harlem, has overly broad shoulders with wide, pegged sleeves, free-hanging bag pockets that flew outward from the body while dancing, and deeply pleated pegged trousers. Such suits were a form of cultural and personal expression for jazz enthusiasts and African American, Latino, Jewish, and other immigrant communities.

Dandy Ensemble (circa 1820)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

DANDY

The early nineteenth century saw the emergence of the dandy—the term given to extremely fashion-conscious men whose style was the height of refined elegance and who favored clothing that accentuated the body. During this period, tail coats were constructed with new and innovative tailoring techniques that manipulated wool fabric into idealized silhouettes, while the front cutaway of the coat and vest above the hips revealed trousers that outlined a man’s physique.

Ensemble (2015) by Ozwald BoatengLos Angeles County Museum of Art

In 1994, at the age of twenty-seven, Ozwald Boateng became both the youngest and the first black tailor to open a house in Savile Row, London’s historic fashion locality. Born in north London to Ghanaian immigrants, Boateng’s custom suits blend traditional tailoring techniques with non-traditional textiles. This example illustrates his global approach, made with British wool tweeds that recall the patterns of West African cloth, constructed into a modern slim silhouette.

At-home Robe (Banyan) (circa 1880 (detail))Los Angeles County Museum of Art

EAST/WEST

For centuries, interactions between East and West have profoundly influenced menswear across the globe. Ensembles in this section observe how international cultural exchanges have influenced men’s fashions for centuries. 

A view of EAST/WEST installed at LACMA.

At-home Robe (Banyan) (circa 1750)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

AT-HOME WEAR

In the late seventeenth century, clothing from both the Far East and the Middle East influenced European fashion in the form of the banyan, an informal at-home garment made of silk, linen, or cotton. The T-shape of this banyan resembles the form of a Japanese kimono but is constructed of mordant-painted and resist-dyed cotton produced in India for the European market. Known as chintz or calico in the West, these colorfast, washable textiles were popular imports used for home furnishings and clothing during the first half of the eighteenth century.

Smoking Jacket (1890s)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

SMOKING AND LEISURE

Originally used in the late nineteenth century to bundle together cigars and advertise cigar brands, these silk ribbons were frequently collected by women and stitched together to create useful home articles, such as bed covers, pillow tops, decorative tablecloths, and occasionally pieces of clothing. Silk cigar bands transformed a pinstriped wool jacket into this unique example of both a literal and figurative smoking jacket.

Lounge Suit (1860s (detail))Los Angeles County Museum of Art

CULTURAL INTERSECTIONS

This lounge suit for a European gentleman was made of soft, lightweight cashmere woven in Kashmir, India, that was embellished with silk embroidery prior to being cut and tailored. The patterns feature stylized tulips, leaves, and teardrop shapes with bending tips (called boteh or buta, also known as paisley) often seen on handwoven Kashmir shawls, which were fashionable among European and American women from the mid-eighteenth through the nineteenth century.

Nehru Suit (1968) by Gilbert FéruchLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Ensemble (Spring/Summer 2014) by Dries Van NotenLos Angeles County Museum of Art

The whimsical fauna and flora pattern on this Dries Van Noten coat is imitative of an 1858 French complex woven silk textile designed by Lemire and Sons. Van Noten discovered the textile in the collection of Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris while planning his first retrospective in 2014. Many of the French textile’s fanciful animals and birds, as well as its ornate multicolored flora, were undoubtedly influenced by motifs on historic Chinese textiles. Similarly colorful motifs abound in examples from the Ming dynasty.

Overcoat (Tonbi) (1925-35)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

JAPANESE DESIGNERS

The Inverness cape, a sleeveless overcoat with an attached cape, was introduced to Japan during the late Edo period (1615–1868), where it was modified with enlarged armholes to accommodate the sleeves of a kimono. Popularly known as tonbi (black hawk), the overcoats were made of imported wool (rasha) and were fashionable during the Taishō (1912–26) and early Shōwa (1926–89) periods among intellectuals, professionals, and the wealthy, who often added a Western-style hat to their kimono ensemble.

Ensemble (Spring/Summer 2014) by Yusuke Takahashi for Issey Miyake MenLos Angeles County Museum of Art

With this ensemble, Yusuke Takahashi honored his mentor Issey Miyake’s admiration for Japanese textile traditions by utilizing a clamp-resist dyeing technique known as itajime. Yardage was systematically folded, clamped between two rectangular templates, and placed into a black dye vat. After the dyed fabric was dried and unfolded, select areas that resisted the black dye were printed red or blue and used to create a contemporary fashionable textile that also evokes historic Japanese textiles.

Army Tank Suit (1940-45 (detail))Los Angeles County Museum of Art

UNIFORMITY

Dictates of both etiquette and function have long served as inspiration to fashionable menswear. This section acknowledges that while military and working uniforms might appear to limit individual expression, a closer examination reveals that high standards persist even in conventional capacities. 

A view of UNIFORMITY installed at LACMA.

Army Uniform Ensemble (1799-1800)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

MILITARY WEAR

Army Uniform Ensemble
England, 1799-1800

Jacket (Fall/Winter 2010-11) by Marithé + François GirbaudLos Angeles County Museum of Art

WORK WEAR

This intriguing denim jacket was crafted in a laser-printing technique called “Wattwash.” This image of a young beggar boy, wearing a coat of a similar blue cloth, is taken from a painting by an anonymous seventeenth-century Italian artist who has been dubbed the “Master of Blue Jeans” for his frequent depiction of denim clothing. The reproduction of this painting on a contemporary jacket demonstrates that denim has in fact had a long history of use and appreciation.

Three-piece Suit (circa 1770)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

BUSINESS WEAR

For conducting daily business, French aristocrats and wealthy merchants of the mid-eighteenth century commonly donned a matching three-piece suit, typically made of fashionable silk in pastel colors. The suit consisted of a collarless coat, cut long with a full pleated skirt, and worn with a hip-length waistcoat and knee-length breeches. This example of pink silk velvet with a pattern of small red flower buds lacks the additional ornamental embroidery reserved for court.

Ensemble (Fall/Winter 2014-15) by Kean Etro for EtroLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Suit with Shorts (2009) by Thom Browne for Brooks BrothersLos Angeles County Museum of Art

INFORMAL WEAR

Brooks Brothers, an American menswear institution, has fashioned suits and casual attire for two hundred years. In 2007, the clothier partnered with Thom Browne, known for his innovative play with suit proportions, to create the “Black Fleece” collection, blending modern design with traditional dress. A white suit recalls the casual air of light summer suits, yet is updated with matching leg-baring tennis shorts.

Shooting Jacket with Matching Vest (circa 1843)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

ACTIVE WEAR

Constructed with multiple pockets and demonstrating a looser fit than other coats popular at the time, this green shooting jacket and matching vest from the 1840s were considered the optimum uniform by sportsmen. Not only was it made of water-resistant wool/silk velvet, the jacket’s roomier, hip-length cut allowed for greater freedom of movement for the hunt. Initially designed for active wear, the style would evolve into the sack jackets still fashionable today.

Court Suit (circa 1760)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

FORMAL WEAR

Three-piece Court Suit
France, c. 1760

Full-dress Ensemble (circa 1935)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Full evening dress (also known as “white tie”) originated in the early nineteenth century— in particular, with the evening ensemble of George “Beau” Brummell, an iconic figure in men’s fashion. The white tie ensemble seen here dates from the 1930s; more than a century after Brummell’s heyday its components still include a black tail coat and trousers, set off by a white waistcoat and white bow tie.

Lounging Suit from the “Pin-Up Boys” collection (Spring/Summer 1996 (detail)) by Jean Paul GaultierLos Angeles County Museum of Art

BODY CONSCIOUSNESS

The fashion featured in this section demonstrates that men have been just as preoccupied with enhancing their physiques as women. 

A view of BODY CONSCIOUSNESS installed at LACMA.

Jacket from the “Women Among Women” collection (Fall/Winter 1989-90) by Jean Paul GaultierLos Angeles County Museum of Art

CINCHING

Jean Paul Gaultier’s career has been noted for his challenges to fashion’s conventional gender roles. His men’s pinstriped jacket is fitted around the torso with zippers, laces, and shirred elastic thread to emulate a corset. Although sometimes worn by men, corsets have been primarily associated with women throughout the undergarment’s history.

Ensemble from the “Silent Secrets” collection (Spring/Summer 2013) by Walter Van Beirendonck (detail)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Tail Coat (circa 1845)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

MOLDING

In the early nineteenth century, the dark wool tail coat reinforced post–French Revolutionary ideals of utilitarianism and restraint. Additionally, the malleable quality of wool allowed tailors to pad and mold a formfitting coat with more ease than previously known, and the perfect fit soon symbolized the dress of a gentleman. The contours of coats were engineered with padding that lined the sides and upper torso, secured with silk lining and fine stitching. With the assistance of the hot iron, a tailor could create a carefully molded shoulder line and chest that disguised bodily shortcomings and achieved an ideal figure.

Ensemble (Fall/Winter 2014-15) by Kean Etro for EtroLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Kean Etro pays tribute to the eminent skills of the master tailors of Italian menswear by presenting an ensemble that quite literally narrates its evolution. In a brilliant play on creating pattern and structure, the suit and overcoat are decorated in the tailor-tack threads, layered padding, and pick stitches that are commonly used by tailors in creating a bespoke (custom-made) suit.

Two-piece Bathing Suit (circa 1900)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

EXPOSING SKIN

By 1850, when men and women were permitted to share public bathing and swimming facilities, appropriate costume became an issue. In the latter part of the century, men’s swimsuits were composed of truncated trousers and a belted shirt. The long tunic and dark colors, which were less revealing than light colors when wet, preserved the wearer’s modesty.

Quarter-size Two-piece Swimsuit Samples (circa 1925)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Jacket (Fall/Winter 2003-4) by Carol Christian PoellLos Angeles County Museum of Art

SHEER DRESSING

Carol Christian Poell is known for incorporating unusual materials into his work, including plastics, metal, and human hair. A transparent cardigan jacket knit from plastic tubing undermines both the inherent softness and opacity of yarn, since the garment yields neither concealment nor warmth.

Ensemble (Spring/Summer 2014) by Frida Giannini for Gucci (detail)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

THE SPLENDID MAN

The clothing in this section consider how fashion designers throughout history have challenged prevailing notions of menswear and masculinity. 

A view of THE SPLENDID MAN installed at LACMA.

Waistcoat (circa 1730)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

GLITZ

Waistcoat
France, c. 1730

Ensemble (Fall/Winter 2012-13) by Johnson Hartig for LibertineLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Ensemble (Fall/Winter 2013-14) by Kean Etro for EtroLos Angeles County Museum of Art

ANIMAL

Ensemble
Kean Etro for Etro
Fall/Winter 2013-14

Coat (circa 1800)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

FLORAL

Coat
France, c.1800

Coat and Waistcoat (1720s-30s)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

COLOR

Coat
Probably Germany, 1720s-30s

Waistcoat
Europe, c. 1730

Sapeur Suit (circa 2005)Los Angeles County Museum of Art

For the ultrachic dandies (sapeurs) of the Congos, fashion and style are not only a means of self expression, but an artful way of life. Members of la SAPE, an acronym for Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People), hail largely from Brazzaville and Kinshasa, and abide by a strict code of dress and gentility. Their expensive and eye-catching looks, often purchased from Paris, London, or Milan, are beacons of a sapeur’s pride, work ethic, and ability to save, born from and in spite of the poverty and war surrounding them.

Ensemble (Fall/Winter 2014-15) by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des GarçonsLos Angeles County Museum of Art

CONTEMPLATING THE FUTURE

A culmination of the themes explored in Reigning Men is summarized by two looks which acknowledge the past while considering the future of menswear. A ruffled suit by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons blurs the line between masculine and feminine.

Deconstructed Kandora by Ahmed Abdelrahman, ThamanyahLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Ahmed Abdelrahman for Thamanyah's deconstructed kandora reinterprets dress traditions of the Middle East with Western aesthetics. Additionally, Mark Mahoney’s tattoo design exemplifies the recent fashion for body ink; once regarded as subversive, this personal and permanent accessory is now lauded as an expressive art form.

“JS Wings 3.0” High-top Sneaker (2014/2015) by Jeremy Scott for AdidasLos Angeles County Museum of Art

SHOES

A view of the Shoes installed at LACMA.

Credits: Story

This online exhibition is an abbreviated version of Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715 - 2015 which was on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from April 10 to August 21, 2016.

The exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and made possible by Ellen A. Michelson.

The exhibition was sponsored by YOOX.COM

Additional support is provided by the Wallis Annenberg Director’s Endowment Fund. Funding is also provided by Eugene Sadovoy.

All exhibitions at LACMA are underwritten by the LACMA Exhibition Fund. Major annual support is provided by Kitzia and Richard Goodman, with generous annual funding from Janet Chann and Michael Irwin in memory of George Chann, Louise and Brad Edgerton, Edgerton Foundation, Emily and Teddy Greenspan, Jenna and Jason Grosfeld, Lenore and Richard Wayne, and The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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