Men’s Fashion Etiquette of Winter 1900

The English call this a “morning” coat, because to them there is no afternoon, and day is divided into lightness from the rays of the sun and the proverbial candlelight, which is dusk followed by night.
–photo source, Pinterest 

Among the novelties in men’s dress this Winter there has been an effort to bring again into popularity the old-fashioned black cutaway coat. The English call this a “morning” coat, because to them there is no afternoon, and day is divided into lightness from the rays of the sun and the proverbial candlelight, which is dusk followed by night. 

The morning coat, which has been in use some time in London, is a long cutaway coat, of black material, single breasted. Again the outside breast pocket makes its appearance. The skirts or tails are almost the length of the frock, and extend nearly to the bend of the knee. This coat can be worn to afternoon affairs, and is as good form as the frock, except at a wedding, where it seems no other garment except the “Prince Albert,” as it was once called, will do.

Some of these coats, like the very ultra fashionable frock coat of the seasons, are bound with black ribbon. This is somewhat out of the conservative run, and the new “trimming” does not improve the looks of the coat. You cannot have a frock or a cutaway coat too plain. It is in its absolute absence from any “fixings” wherein lies its style.

The cutaway coat is also used a great deal for riding. In this case, it corresponds in texture and pattern to the riding brecches, and it has a hip, as well as outside breast pocket, and it is made with a decided regard for the waist line. The coats of to-day are so fashioned, that at first glance, one would think that the wearers had corsets underneath. In England, many military men wear stays, and there is a rumor that a few do the same here. There is, however, a very well-fitting undergarment which has a waist to it, very much in principle the same as corset, and which gives–with the cut of the coat– the appearance of a decided figure. – The New York Times, 1900

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia