Morning Coat

Gender and attire

The most important item of men’s attire in the 18th century was the morning coat. This was a long coat of military origin that covered the body down to the knees. With long sleeves and an upright collar, it had buttons made of precious metal or covered in the same fabric as the coat. The coat had symmetrical side pockets with flaps and was snug fitting to the waist, where it opened in lateral pleats and split into two tails.  In recent years we are seeing a wider variety of men’s attire on display, linked both to an interest in the study of masculinity and to the general appeal of men’s fashion.