Vibrant colors, gorgeous embroidery, expensive lace––luxurious outfit for men of the Rococo era
The Kyoto Costume Institute
Man's Suit (habit à la française) (1770-80s)The Kyoto Costume Institute
Men’s clothing in the Rococo era
Men’s clothing throughout the eighteenth century underwent fewer changes compared to the opulent and extravagant designs of men’s clothing in the seventeenth century. Vibrant colors, gorgeous embroidery, the expensive lace used in jabots and cuffs, and buttons, which were an important fashion point, were indispensable as finishing touches for stylish men of the Rococo era. In the eighteenth century, it was in men’s clothing that the aesthetic potential of embroidery came to the fore.
Coat, Waistcoat, Breeches (Mid. 18th century)The Kyoto Costume Institute
Mid-18th century menswear. The coat has large cuffs and deep pleats from both sides of the waist to the hem at the rear. The waistcoat is long enough to fully conceal the wearer's back.
The set has gorgeous weave patterns, with gold and silver thread and various colors of silk thread.
Before the modern period, Men's clothing worn by Western royalty and nobles was at least as splendid and gorgeous as that for women, as men dressed in a manner that would maintain class distinctions, flaunting their privileged status.
Man's Suit (Coat, Waistcoat, Breeches) (c. 1765)The Kyoto Costume Institute
Three-piece set of coat, waistcoat, and breeches. Textiles entirely covered by a small pattern (droguet) were often used for men's clothes in the middle of the 18th century.
Man's Suit (habit à la française) (c. 1790)The Kyoto Costume Institute
Habit à la française
The luxurious outfit that men from the 18th century nobility would wear, the habit à la française, is composed of a coat, waistcoat, and breeches. It also included a pair of silk stockings, a jabot, a linen or cotton shirt with decorative cuffs, and a cravat (a neckcloth).
It may be no exaggeration to say that in the 18th century the beauty of embroidery was effectively used in men's clothes rather than women's dresses. Evidence can be found in the formal wear of Académie Française members until now. Especially the coat and the waistcoat of the panoply called habit à la française are fully embroidered with golden and silver threads and other multi-colored threads, sequins, and artificial gems.
Man's Suit (habit à la française) (1770-80s)The Kyoto Costume Institute
This suit is characterized by elegant embroidery and pale, pastel tones said to be the colors of the Rococo Period.
Men's suits transformed to a more functional style in the last half of the 18th century. Overall the coat became tight-fitting, the length of the waistcoat became short, the waistcoat's sleeves were removed, and the hem was cut horizontally.
Man's Suit (coat, waistcoat, and breeches) (c. 1790)The Kyoto Costume Institute
On this waistcoat are delicately embroidered arches and rows of pillars in the style of ancient Rome. During the latter half of the 18th century, under the influence of neoclassicism, ancient Roman and Gothic ruins and remains were frequently adopted as motifs in paintings, garden fixtures, and such.
At the end of the 1780s, waistcoats had a lapelled collar and their length became extremely short. From that time to the first half of the 1800s, while coats were being simplified, waistcoats were adopting the showier tendencies of men's fashion.
Man's At-Home Robe (banyan) (c. 1785)The Kyoto Costume Institute
Banyan
Japanese kimono and yogi (nightclothes) that the Dutch East India Company brought back to Europe were favored there as indoor clothing for men. Due to an insufficiency of imports to meet the swell in demand, items made from Indian chintz and Chinese textiles also entered the market. In Holland, the general term for such goods was Japonsche rocken (Japanese indoor wear); in France, robe de chambre d'indienne (indoor gowns of Indian chintz); and, in England, banyan (Indian merchant).
The outer fabric, with a design and colors that inspire feelings of foreign lands, utilizes fabric manufactured in China that targeted the Western market.
Man’s Shirt, Trousers [Left] Jacket, Petticoat [Right] (Late 18th Century [Left]1790s [Right])The Kyoto Costume Institute
Long trousers
An example of the style of clothing worn by the working class around the time of the French Revolution, characterized by the long trousers worn by men, rather than the breeches. With the outbreak of the revolution in 1789, the revolutionaries regarded luxurious and extravagant silk as the enemy of the revolution, replacing breeches and white silk stockings - the symbol of aristocracy - with the long trousers worn by the lower classes, in an attempt to distance themselves from the previous era.
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The stories behind what we wear
View themeFAQs
“At the beginning of the 18th century the male silhouette differed greatly from that of today. A typical outfit consisted of a full-skirted knee-length coat, knee breeches, a vest or long waistcoat (which could be sleeved), a linen shirt with frills and linen underdrawers.
What was men's fashion like in the 1800s? ›
The gentleman of this period would most often be seen in a tight-waisted, full-chested, skirted coat with a generous sleeve narrowing at the wrist to a buttoned cuff. The single and double-breasted frockcoat was worn in a variety of shades of green, brown or olive along with the common black and navy.
What were the fashion trends in the 18th century? ›
The woman's dress of the 18th century is characterized by the light pastel color and the decorations such as lace, ribbons, and artificial flowers. Lace, created with the most delicate handwork techniques, was significant in enriching wardrobes luxury decoration.
What did men wear in 1776? ›
Coats and jackets were the types of outer garments worn by men in the 18th century. Coats and jackets were worn over the shirt and waistcoat. Typically, coats were constructed of wool, linen, velvet, silk, or fabric blends.
How to dress like an 18th century man? ›
The luxurious outfit that men from the 18th century nobility would wear, the habit à la française, is composed of a coat, waistcoat, and breeches. It also included a pair of silk stockings, a jabot, a linen or cotton shirt with decorative cuffs, and a cravat (a neckcloth).
What did men do in the 18th century? ›
Men were usually in charge of all the finances involved in the household and did most of the work to financially support the family. It was common for a man to be well educated and have work outside of the household.
Why did boys dress like girls in the 1800s? ›
The main reason for keeping boys in dresses was toilet training, or the lack thereof. The change was probably made once boys had reached the age when they could easily undo the rather complicated fastenings of many early modern breeches and trousers.
What did boys wear in the 1800? ›
Infants and toddlers, both boys and girls, wore dresses. Dresses were usually long and white and were used because they allowed toddlers to move and play. At age five, boys were introduced to pants, a tradition known as breeching. After that, boys wore short trousers or knickerbockers with a suit jacket.
When did men start wearing clothes? ›
That study indicates that the habitual wearing of clothing began at some point in time between 83,000 years ago and 170,000 years ago based upon a genetic analysis indicating when clothing lice diverged from their head louse ancestors.
What art style was popular in the 18th century? ›
The eighteenth century was marked by at least three distinctive styles: the Baroque, the Rococo and Neoclassicism. The Baroque style was strongest during the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715) and the forms echoed the strength of this absolute monarch: the style aimed to look grand, impressive and massive.
Fashion Icon: Marie Antoinette, Queen of France (1755-1793)
How people dressed in the 18th century during the 1700s? ›
Clothing during this time can be characterized by soft pastels, light, airy, and asymmetrical designs, and playful styles. Wigs remained essential for men and women of substance, and were often white; natural hair was powdered to achieve the fashionable look.
How did men dress in the 1800? ›
18th century men's attire was the habit à la française, which consisted of a jacket, breeches and a vest. This costume varied in material and design according to the social status of its owner. Up until the middle of the century the jacket, called justeaucorps, was worked to be collarless and cling down to the waist.
What did men wear in 1780? ›
Overview. Throughout the period, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches. However, changes were seen in both the fabric used as well as the cut of these garments. More attention was paid to individual pieces of the suit, and each element underwent stylistic changes.
What did men wear to bed in the 18th century? ›
In the late 18th century, men began to wear nightgowns to bed as a fashion statement. These gowns were often made from light and airy materials such as cotton or linen, making them comfortable for sleeping. The style of the nightgown was usually loose-fitting with long sleeves and a high neckline.
What did men wear in 1818? ›
MEN'S CLOTHING
Men in the 18th Century wore a shirt, breeches or trousers, a neckcloth, waistcoat, frock coat, long stockings held up with garters, shoes, and a cap or hat. The shirt was long, about knee-length, and had to be pulled over the head, as it only buttoned at the neck and wrists.
What did men wear in the 1790s? ›
Overview. Throughout the period, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches. However, changes were seen in both the fabric used as well as the cut of these garments. More attention was paid to individual pieces of the suit, and each element underwent stylistic changes.
