Suit

J.B. Johnstone

1894 · wool · Costume Institute

Morning suits, such as this one, were originally adopted by men in the early-19th century for wear during the morning hours when they would go riding. It gained popularity near the end of the century for morning and daytime business activities in addition to riding, supplanting the frock coat which had been relegated to that position since the teens. This style of suit consisted of either a matching ensemble composed of a single-breasted cutaway coat, vest and trousers, or a black single-breasted cutaway coat paired with striped trousers and a complementary vest. Edward VII (1842-1910) popularized the acceptability of the morning suit for daytime formal occasions, which it has maintained to the present day.

Artist

J.B. Johnstone

Date

1894

Medium

wool

Culture

British

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Designated Purchase Fund, 1983