Suit

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The British aesthetic during the 18th century tended to veer away from the ostentatious French styles being worn at the same time. The textiles were more somber, the silhouettes more simple and the fashions more basic while decoration and elaborate textiles flourished in France. Interestingly, nearing the end of Louis XVI's (1754-1793) reign, the simple English styles were adopted by some Frenchman in an attempt to publicly express their rage towards the aristocracy. This particular British suit is exemplary of popular dress in England during the middle of the 18th century with its somber wool, minimal decoration and plain buttons.

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