The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-13
Evolution of Mans Coat.

MANS coat has undergone many curl
Gus changes" said an observer of fash
ions, TO a New Orleans Times Democrat
reporter, "and in the upheavals and
transformations which have marked the
evolving fashions It has played conspic-
uous part. II has been cut and clipped
more than any other article i'm mans
wardrobe. Economy, comfort and conve-
nience have probably dictated the
changes. The early tailors began the pro-
cess OF mutilation, and they have contin-
ued IL down to this day
80 persistent have these changes been
that one may not even guess the coats
future. Relics of what the coat was IN the
earlier history may yet be found. But
they are mere remnants, idle reminders
of its pristine gorgeousness.
THE decline of the coat probably began
with the evolution in dress which mark
ed the era OF Jacobinism. when the doc
trine OF equality was seeking TO level the
castles I'm 1893 and 1894. Lecky is authority
for the statement that the era marked
a complete revolution I'm English dress
Ordinary shoestrings took the place OF
silver buckles, the picturesque cooked hat
disappeared. muslin crayats, pantaloons
and Hessan boots came into fashion,,
hair powder was no longer used, and
wigs were cast aside in the rioting effort
TO return to the simplicities of nature.
and even Southey and Savage Landon.
then students at oxford. were contamin-
ated by the spirit of repubicanism and
yielded TO the new vogue of having their
hair cut short. The coat came in for its
share i'm the revolution of dress. The
tailor began to clip the surplusage.
"The earliest coat was probably SIM
pie wrap" the speaker continued. ut rep
~. dRaaI l.
ly evolved into long, loose skirt or cape,
which fell from the shoulders TO the
ankles. Flaps covered the armholes and
took the place OF sleeves. One may yet
see the relics of this type In the robes of
the ecclesiastics. But these coats were
awkward.
Men began 10 grow out OF them. They
interferred with the limbs of the body
and retarded locomotion. They robbed the
human form of its graceful cuiTes, and
rotundity az a time when a mans form
began TO count for something in the
world. Simplicity has been the dominant
passion of coat designers in these latter
days. Even the frock. which is probably
OF Saxon origin, is passing except In the
| rural districts OF America and England.
| Prince Alberts are worn, but men of af-
fairs do not look upon them with favor.
They are too clumsy for the age.
But" said the speaker, more violent
changes are probably In store. Inc coat
tail is in ones way. according TO the
view of some of the business men of to-
day. One may conjecture that after a
while there will be no tails TO coats, not
even in the circles OF the ultra-fashion-
ables, where one must wear what custom
demands.
"The appearance OF the Tuxedo, with
its comfort, its convenience, and Its econ
omy, may. after all. mean that the coat
tail will disappear from fashionable GEN.
tres and one will not be surprised upon
rejecting that at least one-fourth of all
the cloth consumed in the world in maxi
ing frock and dress coats Is consumed in
making the tails.
"They are useless. awkward, unsightly
and expensive. They mar mans sinuous
curves, conceal his rotundities and de-
tract much from the gracefulness OF his
form.
"Why should this vestige of antedilu-
viansm remain longer than Its allotted
time? why should man permit his coat
to retain that which evolutionary pro-
cesses have deprived him of In the natu-
raj course OF things? But the coattail Is
passing. Its disappearance Will probably
mark the last change in the coats rath-
er picturesque and interesting career.
and the notifications which come after
will probably manifest themselves in
spasmodc impulses TO revert TO one or
the other OF the original and interme-
date types which one may find in the his
tory of dress"