Plaid Trousers and Matching Vest - Interesting Combo c. 1870

[Warbaby]

This is a bit early for the clothing we wear, but it's an interesting look that I've never seen before. I like his bowtie as well...

 

[Mahagonny Bill]

I could be wrong by I think that this look was worn more by "sporting men" than gentlemen. I can't imagine a mid to upper class person wearing checked trousers and vest.

 

[Warbaby]

Well, he definitely looks like someone I wouldn't want to play cards with.

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

No actually my husband did some research on this recently and plaid trouser were the thing in fact I think the would often wear a patterned brocade vest with their plaid pants. I will have to check with him for more accurate dating though.

 

[Foofoogal]

I am amazed by the dog in the photo. Seen dolls before but not dogs.

 

[norton]

The photo looks like its from a German source. Could be styles were different in continental Europe?

 

[Qirrel]

For the 1870s this was quite common. Less so if it had been the 1890s to 1910, because then he would probably not be wearing a frock coat, but a regular suit coat. Here is a fashion plate (1878), showing a suit in a hefty plaid design:

 

["Skeet" McD]

It's a very common look in the period 1850 to 1870; plaids were quite popular, perhaps as part of the whole Scottish thing that Victoria started with her trips to Balmoral, Sir W. Scott, etc. Whatever the genesis of the plaid fixation, the matching trowsers and waistcoat look is, I believe, a holdover from the 18C division of male outer clothing groups into "small clothes" (i.e., vest and breeches/trowsers) and "coat"....

"*****"

 

[Feraud]

I am amazed by the dog in the photo. Seen dolls before but not dogs.

I've seen quite a few period photos of people with their pets. And even people who dressed their best pals!

 

[Edward]

I am amazed by the dog in the photo. Seen dolls before but not dogs.

Maybe it's trained, or asleep..... or stuffed.

It's a very common look in the period 1850 to 1870; plaids were quite popular, perhaps as part of the whole Scottish thing that Victoria started with her trips to Balmoral, Sir W. Scott, etc. Whatever the genesis of the plaid fixation, the matching trowsers and waistcoat look is, I believe, a holdover from the 18C division of male outer clothing groups into "small clothes" (i.e., vest and breeches/trowsers) and "coat"....

"*****"

It's certainly the case that what we now think of a tartan (as well as most elements of Highland Dress in the modern period) were created by the Victorians (in particular the Victorian Anglo-Scottish). That was the period when 'Scottishness' was allowed to reassert itself, the bagpipes (and, if memory serves the kilt) among other things having been banned following Culloden and the Highland clearances. This was, of course, the same period in which the Anglo-Irish gentry kick started the Gaelic Revival on the Emerald Isle, with great benefits to literature (Lady Gregory's English translation of the Ulster Cycle is one example from this period).

 

[Guttersnipe]

To generalize a bit, the 19th century LOVED plaids! Checkout this thread in which the topic was touched on.