Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Suit

1923 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

By the 1920s the full evening dress suit had crystallised into a recognisable and lasting style. It consisted of a tail coat, a white waistcoat and trousers to match the coat. The coat was cut as double-breasted but was always worn open. Changes in fashion did occur, but they affected details such as the width of the lapel or the cut of the trousers.

This suit was worn by the husband of the donor. She dated each item in her collection and also sent the accessories that she considered appropriate for each outfit. Mr Rothfield died in 1931. He was a slim, elegantly dressed man, who was meticulous about his dress.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Evening Jacket
  • Trousers
  • Waistcoat
Materials and techniques
Wool, trimmed with silk braid, lined with silk and satin
Brief description
Evening suit consisting of a jacket, trousers and waistcoat of woollen cloth, possibly made by Charles Wallis Ltd., London, 1923
Physical description
Evening suit consisting of a jacket, trousers and waistcoat made of black woollen cloth.

Double-breasted jacket has ribbed silk lapels and six basket woven buttons. It is lined with black satin and partially quilted for reinforcement. There are two pockets in the tail. In the inner pocket is stitched a label.

Trousers with a plain-shaped bottom and a vertical band of silk braid is stitched to each of the outer side seams.

Single-breasted waistcoat with a horse-show collar trimmed with a double row of silk braid and two stand pockets trimmed with silk braid. Buttons of woven silk. Lined with white silk and the back is of black satin with a buckle for adjustment.
Credit line
Given by Mrs E. L. Rothfield
Object history
This evening dress suit sports an unconventional black waistcoat rather than the typical white one. By the 1920's, the full evening dress suit had crystallized into a recognisable and apparently unchanging style. The changes which did occur affected details such as the width of the lapel or the cut of the trousers.
Summary
By the 1920s the full evening dress suit had crystallised into a recognisable and lasting style. It consisted of a tail coat, a white waistcoat and trousers to match the coat. The coat was cut as double-breasted but was always worn open. Changes in fashion did occur, but they affected details such as the width of the lapel or the cut of the trousers.

This suit was worn by the husband of the donor. She dated each item in her collection and also sent the accessories that she considered appropriate for each outfit. Mr Rothfield died in 1931. He was a slim, elegantly dressed man, who was meticulous about his dress.
Collection
Accession number
T.232 to B-1962

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 28, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSON