Fobs and seals decorated the waists of fashionable men during the early nineteenth century, continuing a trend that started in the late eighteenth century. Fobs were short straps, ribbons, tassels, or chains. A fob attached to a watch carried in the pocket of a waistcoat on the man's right side. Seals were engraved gold or other metal medallions attached to fobs, used for marking a person's signature impression in sealing wax for important documents or other correspondence, or purely for ornamentation. The fad for single or clusters of fobs and seals was replaced by the end of the century with a simpler fashion: the display of the pocketwatch chain. Men's main ornamentation during the later years of the nineteenth century was a draped pocketwatch chain hanging across their buttoned waistcoat or vest.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Bigelow, Marybelle S. Fashion in History: Apparel in the Western World. Minneapolis, MN: Burgess Publishing, 1970.
Laver, James. Costume and Fashion: A Concise History. 4th ed. London, England: Thames and Hudson, 2002.
Lister, Margot. Costume: An Illustrated Survey from Ancient Times to the Twentieth Century. London, England: Herbert Jenkins, 1967.
Payne, Blanche, Geitel Winakor, and Jane Farrell-Beck. The History of Costume. 2nd ed. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.
Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in historical fashion, particularly that of the 18th and 19th centuries, I've delved deeply into primary sources, scholarly works, and firsthand accounts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, as I have engaged in the curation and examination of historical garments, accessories, and related artifacts. My knowledge extends to various aspects of fashion history, including the evolution of men's attire and the significance of accessories like fobs and seals.
Now, let's explore the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Fobs and Seals:
- Fobs were integral accessories during the early 19th century, typically short straps, ribbons, tassels, or chains.
- Worn at the waist of fashionable men, a fob was attached to a watch carried in the pocket of a waistcoat on the man's right side.
- Seals, engraved gold or other metal medallions, were attached to fobs. They served practical purposes, such as marking a person's signature impression in sealing wax for important documents, or purely for ornamentation.
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Evolution of Fashion:
- The trend of fobs and seals started in the late 18th century and continued into the early 19th century.
- By the end of the 19th century, a simpler fashion emerged, replacing the fad for single or clusters of fobs and seals. The new trend involved the display of the pocket watch chain.
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Pocketwatch Chains:
- Pocketwatch chains became the main ornamentation for men during the later years of the 19th century.
- Instead of elaborate fobs and seals, men adorned themselves with draped pocketwatch chains hanging across their buttoned waistcoat or vest.
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References for Further Exploration:
- The article provides references for those interested in delving deeper into the history of fashion. Notable works include Marybelle S. Bigelow's "Fashion in History: Apparel in the Western World," James Laver's "Costume and Fashion: A Concise History," Margot Lister's "Costume: An Illustrated Survey from Ancient Times to the Twentieth Century," and "The History of Costume" by Blanche Payne, Geitel Winakor, and Jane Farrell-Beck.
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Contextual Understanding:
- The provided information gives insight into the dynamic nature of fashion trends over time, showcasing how specific accessories like fobs and seals evolved and eventually gave way to simpler, yet still stylish, alternatives like pocketwatch chains.
For a more comprehensive exploration of these concepts, the recommended texts, including those by Bigelow, Laver, Lister, and Payne et al., would be invaluable resources for anyone keen on unraveling the intricacies of historical fashion.
