I first became interested in dress and the history of dress a few years back. It began with my interest in academic dress which led me to consider what one wear’s underneath it (i.e. subfusc). Over the years, I developed my wardrobe, understanding and knowledge of dress and became fixated in particular with formal wear such as morning dress.
If I claim an expertise in a field of dress then that would be concerning top hats and morning dress. This mostly comes from my research as well as my personal assemblege of my morning dress and discovers in buying and polishing a topper. I don’t claim to be ‘an expert’ per se but I know enough to advise people on it.
If I were to consider what sort of dress person I am, I would describe myself as traditional and conservative. I like to look my best as well as get everything to the thread ‘correct’. Trousers must be high-waisted, pocket watches must be worn in lieu of wristwatches, braces in lieu if belts, the colour of the waistcoat, trousers, etc must be appropriate, etc. The reason for this anality is, as said before, that I spent a lot of effort (and money) to get my dress correct and so it should be done correctly otherwise I might as well not have bothered.
I look at things logically as well. I examine the ‘rules’ and guidelines, asking myself why things were done in certain ways. What could be done differently in theory? What is actually totally irrelevant in the whole scheme of things? Fashion is ever changing but style doesn’t. There are things from the past that are still embedded in the way we dress. Beauty and intelligence go hand in hand.
Dressing formally and classically has now become more reactionary and individualist than dressing in T-shirt and jeans. I see myself as anti-establishment (the establishment being the me-dee-ah) and revolutionary (against the blandness of life).
Where can one find a formal dress suit with breeches? I want to wear breeches so bad and show off a pair of pumps.
Any help is appreciated.
And yes, people in America still like to dress exquisitely.
You mean a full dress evening tailcoat and breeches? The bodycoat can be had at the usual places or vintage (the tails should be short rather than long). As for the breeches, only can be had via vintage means or via bespoke if you could afford it (must be done by a London tailor who knows how to cut proper dress breeches). It cannot be had OTR.
Terribly sorry. OTR? maybe that is a cultural or sartorial phrase i am unaware of. So does it matter that the breeches and coat will not be exactly the same black colour? Black is not always black, as you well know.
Off the rack/off the peg/ready to wear/etc.
Coat and breeches should match and they would if they are both vintage as they would use more or less the same black barathea cloth. Of course, if you buy a modern coat and a vintage pair of breeches they won’t match cloth to cloth as modern coats are cut using light and inferior cloths. However, the breeches could also be made of stockinet (a type of knitted silk) which does not match and that is the only other acceptable option (in regards to alternative court dress that is but one can take that as decree.) There is also plain silk (I’m guessing satin if one goes by the pictorial evidence) breeches as well but these are more suitable for hunt balls.