Men’s Suits in the Edwardian era

The early 20th century demonstrated a decline in popularity of the frock coat with the morning coat becoming the preference for formal men’s clothing. The Edwardian period from 1901 to 1910 virtually adopted the morning coat as the symbol of male sartorial excellent.

The black tie was common, although it was usually reserved for private gatherings that did not include the company of ladies.

The men’s suits were usually ensembles that included a matching waistcoat and coat with contrasting trousers, or complementing coat and trousers with a distinctive waistcoat. The trousers were briefer than before in length and usually had cuffs or turn-ups with creased fronts and backs thanks to the services of the freshly initiated trouser press. The common style of the waistcoat was single breasted, and fastened higher on the chest region.

The Norfolk jacket was a fashionable accessory for outdoor sports activities and shooting.

Cutaway morning coats were still in popular demand for formal occasions in Europe with striped trousers. Less formal tuxedos or dinner jackets had a shawl collar with satin or silk facings and a single button.