suit

Summary

Crimson corded silk coat, waistcoat and breeches. Coat : lined crimson silk, sleeves lined white cotton and linen front fastening to 2 in below round neck with eleven silk covered buttons and buttonholes; very narrow neckband tapering to front; pocket, white linen and cotton, each side at waist, with shaped flap with four vertical ornamental buttonholes, the outer two fastening to button on coat below, the inner two uncut, with buttons below flap; fronts curving away slightly to sides; back in two sections; skirt flared and pleated at side, open seam caught at bottom and at one point towards hem; centre back of skirt seamed at waist with long ornamental buttonhole, and another below each side; pleat at side back seam, centre back seam open from waist; long sleeves in two sections, turnback cuffs with four buttons and ornamental buttonholes Waistcoat : crimson corded silk; skirt lining and front edge facing crimson silk; back and front lining white twilled cotton and linen fronts fastening to 1 in from round neck with fourteen silk covered buttons and buttonholes; skirt cut away below waist, flared at sides, side seams open with slight overlap; pocket, white twilled cotton and linen, each side at waist, with shaped flap with four vertical buttonholes, the outer two fastening to button beneath, the inner two uncut with buttons below flap; back in two sections, seamed at waist; centre back seam open below waist Breeches : slightly shaped waistband white twilled linen and cotton fastening centre front with three buttons and buttonholes, with crimson silk gusset at back between two holes each side laced with red silk ribbon; front flap lined crimson silk, fastening two smaller buttons and buttonholes; pocket each side, white twilled cotton and linen, fastening with button at hip; back gathered into waistband; seamed centre back and at inner and outer leg; knee fastening with four buttons and buttonholes, opening lined crimson silk and white twilled linen and cotton; kneeband lined cream plush, fastening with rectangular gilt buckles fastened into buttonhole (buckles probably added but contemporary) Worn by Thomas Carill-Worsley (1739-1808), who lived at Platt Hall 1764-1808

Display Label

The eighteenth century monied male was often a peacock, eager to display his taste and wealth, and fond of lavishly decorated or patterned fabrics, and bright striking colours. The usual outfit remained the three piece suit of coat, waistcoat and breeches until 1800, when trousers began to replace breeches. Fashionable suits were usually plain woollen facecloth for practical urban or rural wear; woven silks for more formal evening occasions; and highly trimmed and embroidered silk satins and velvets for court wear. Waistcoats were sleeved until the 1740s, then sleeveless as today, and they were often embroidered to match the coat. Looser banyans or gowns were worn for relaxing in the home, when the wig would be replaced by a comfortable "nightcap". Working men wore jackets and waistcoats of hard-wearing fustian (cotton and linen mix) or wool, with breeches of leather or later cheap cotton corduroy, "thicksett" or velveret.