Suit

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This is an early form of the leisure suit, composed of a loose fitting jacket originally known in England as a "lounge jacket" and straight-legged pants. The style was introduced in the 1860s to be worn casually on a country retreat or for sporting activities. It was favored because it gave the appearance of a suit while being less constricting due to its soft material and basic construction. The style was later popularized by King Edward VII (1841-1910) before he was King.

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