Breeches
Date1760-1780
MediumSilk cut and voided velvet; linings of tabby linen; pockets of twill cotton/linen "fustian"; knee bands of metallic silver, woven on silk cord warp backed with chamois leather; 1/4 to 5/8" wide silk twill knee band facings; silver and bullion buttons.
DimensionsOL: 25 1/2" Inseam: 16 1/2" Waist: 27"+
Credit LinePartial gift of Diane S. Taylor
Object number1992-37,3
DescriptionKnee breeches to suit of silk cut and voided velvet, woven with orange, yellow, green and black sprigs on yellowish-beige ground. Wide waistband fastening with three covered buttons. Two self-covered buttoned welt "watch" pockets set into waistband. Narrow fall front. Deep linen pockets buttoned at sides. Metallic silver braid knee bands, with five silver and bullion buttons at side knee openings. Center back vent with tab for buckle.Label TextMen’s breeches, or knee-length pants, had a number of fasteners. This pair has a tab at the back for adjusting the waist size with a buckle (the buckle is missing). Other breeches had eyelets and laces for this purpose. Where the buttons were hidden by the waistcoat, or vest, they are covered with fabric. Because the lower legs and knees were more visible, elaborate silver plate and silver bullion buttons fastened the side knee openings. The band below the knees, sometimes called a garter, was buckled tightly to help hold the stockings up and keep the breeches firmly in place as the man moved. Knee buckles were removable; they had a special T-shaped fitting to allow them to be slipped in place through a buttonhole stitched in the knee band.
ProvenanceSuit was worn in Virginia. According to donor, the suit was "made in England of French fabric for a Virginia gentleman...It was given to my father by a customer of his men's clothing store who was unable to pay her bill. My father gave it to me in 1981 a number of years after his store was closed."
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