Description:
Man's three-piece summer or warm-weather suit consisting of a matching coat, sleeveless waistcoat and breeches. Men’s suits where all three elements consisted of the same material were sometimes known as “ditto” suits. In this example, the fabric is a plain weave silk (taffeta) woven with two different colored threads. The use of a pink-colored warp and yellow weft produced an iridescent fabric that changes color when seen from different angles as it reflects light. Known as shot silk today, in the 18th century it was referred to as changeable, or changeant in French. While the suit lacks any additional embellishment such as embroidery, the simple but elegant fabric provides the fabric's inherent decoration. All three pieces are lined with a bleached, plain weave linen. The chest measurement is about 33". A similar suit is in the collection of the Newport Historical Society.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.796 |
