Men’s Clothing: The 18th century man was dressed in a waist coat and breeches.
The
waist coat was the decorative element of a man’s wardrobe. Often made from damask,
satin or velvet, it featured pockets, long sleeves, delicate embroidery, showing
landscapes, flowers or animals and gold and silver or enamel buttons. Breeches stopped
short at the knee, where they were met with white silk stockings done up with laces.
Man’s clothing for much of the 18th century was dominated by English style. Lace and
ribbons were considered frivolous and they were replaced by black silk tie. A white
muslin scarf was tied at the neck. Men’s dresses as a whole become more sober.
Textiles:
Great progress was made in the global textile trade during the 18th century. Due to
revolutionized inventions like weaving looms, knitting machines, steam engine etc, the
era of mass production began. Before these machines, even cotton was separated from
seeds, manually. Indian cotton, lawn and gauze were worn by fashionable masses. Best
known printed fabric of the time was – Toile de Jouy- an unbleached cotton that was
printed with wooden blocks or copper plate. Large scale illustrations were printed
according to demand. Motifs depicted on Toile de Jouy fabric included and still include
landscapes, floral patterns, architecture, scenes inspired by passages found in books,
plays and mythology as well as leisure activities like ballooning. Marie Antoinette was a
Toile de Jouy fan. She has curtains made from it and covered walls, chairs and beds with
the romantic, decorative fabric. Chinoiserie and ikat with different shades were praised
usually on satin and silk.
Make-Up and Grooming: Washing was not a common practice and make-up was used to
conceal dirty skin. White face paint was used as a foundation and cheeks were dabbed
with red rouge. They also believed that body odor could be disguised with perfume.
Violet and rose scents were common. Perfume trade was considered to be an important
business. ‘Yardley’ and ‘Floris’ brands of that time, still exists today among the oldest
perfumery.
Wigs: Both men and women powdered their hair in the 18th century to produce the
powdered effect, women sprayed wheat meal on their own hair. Men also apply it but it
was limited to wigs only. Usually wigs have curls at each ear and remainder of the hair
was tied back at the neck with a black ribbon. Just as dress-makers were becoming
known by name, so too were hair dressers. Hair dressing was considered as a legitimate
profession. Wigs were made of human hair, goat’s hair, horse hair or vegetable fibers.
Men and women of all classes wore wigs. Rococo hairstyles reached ever-increasing
heights as false hair pieces were added. They remain in vogue till a time than eventually
they were out of fashion. As they considered to be time-consuming and causes
discomfort.
Hats: Lace, braids and feathers were used to adorn hats. Hats of straw and felted wool
were popular. From 1789, military style head gears were adopted. Tri-corned hats
evolved into a bi-corned and worn by men, while women adopted elaborate head gears.
Media: In 1963, first women’s magazine ‘The Ladies Mercury’ appeared. It was
published in London and it mainly featured fashion article. In 1731, the publication of
‘Gentleman’s Magazine started. New fashion trends with colored illustrations were
depicted in them along with highlights about trends in furniture, interior decor, jewelry
and more.
Fashion magazines made a great impact on society. They made the masses more style
conscious, and there was more awareness regarding art and design, which was now also
in the reach of lower class.
