Frock coat

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The production of pineapple cloth is specific to the Philippines and West Indies. Woven by hand from the leaf fiber of the pineapple plant, and often embellished with intricate embroidery, this highly valued fabric was fashioned into clothing and accessories that were a part of the traditional Filipino cultural heritage for centuries. Exportation to Europe and America started early, but became widespread during the 19th century, when it was promoted by Christian missionaries. The exported items, fashioned for both men and women, were highly prized for their beauty and novelty.

The Costume Institute

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand objects represents seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present.

Metropolitan Museum of Art