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.
Full item descriptions: "coat & banyan" [1949.73] "waistcoat,
sleeved" [1961.275] "wais