Smoking Suit thumbnail 1
Smoking Suit thumbnail 2
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Smoking Suit

ca. 1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
The smoking jacket was a short, easy- fitting coat cut in the style of a lounge jacket. It was a distinctive garment since it was often quilted and decorated with silk cord or braid frogging. It could be single- or double-breasted. Soft materials were used such as silk, velvet or wool in dark reds, greens, blues, brown or black.

Materials & Making
This smoking jacket and matching trousers are made from black and green striped velveteen.

Ownership & Use
The popularity of the smoking suit shows how sartorial rules were relaxing in the late 19th century. The smoking jacket was often worn in place of the dinner jacket for an informal evening at home. It was worn with day trousers, evening trousers and sometimes (as in this example) with matching easy-cut trousers.

Time
The smoking jacket was still popular in the early 20th century. In 1956 the Austin Reed catalogue announced an updated version of the smoking jacket, named the television jacket. This did not become a widespread fashion as by this date few men felt the need to wear a special garment for watching television or smoking.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Trousers
Materials and techniques
Velveteen
Brief description
Smoking suit of striped velveteen, Great Britain, ca. 1910
Physical description
Smoking suit of black velveteen with black and green stripes.
Credit line
Given by the Earl and Countess of Avon
Object history
Worn by Jack Eden
Made in Britain
Summary
Object Type
The smoking jacket was a short, easy- fitting coat cut in the style of a lounge jacket. It was a distinctive garment since it was often quilted and decorated with silk cord or braid frogging. It could be single- or double-breasted. Soft materials were used such as silk, velvet or wool in dark reds, greens, blues, brown or black.

Materials & Making
This smoking jacket and matching trousers are made from black and green striped velveteen.

Ownership & Use
The popularity of the smoking suit shows how sartorial rules were relaxing in the late 19th century. The smoking jacket was often worn in place of the dinner jacket for an informal evening at home. It was worn with day trousers, evening trousers and sometimes (as in this example) with matching easy-cut trousers.

Time
The smoking jacket was still popular in the early 20th century. In 1956 the Austin Reed catalogue announced an updated version of the smoking jacket, named the television jacket. This did not become a widespread fashion as by this date few men felt the need to wear a special garment for watching television or smoking.
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971
Collection
Accession number
T.723&A-1974

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Record createdSeptember 7, 2007
Record URL
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