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1750: Look 1
1750 was the highest point of the rococo style. Stiffness of earlier years was discontinued and characteristics of the century were charming. The wig was clean, three-cornered hats were medium-sized, coats and waistcoats had elegant embroidery with a nice cut. Skirts of men's coats appeared full, due to padding, making them similar to women's dresses. -
1760: Look 2
Long, loose linen shirts were worn with a waistcoat, followed by a coat or cape if it was cold. Breeches and socks went to the knee with leather shoes; hats were tri-cornered with wide brims.
Clothes showed a person's wealth in society. To be seen as fashionable and to own a costly wardrobe was extremely important. Poor men were not allowed to dress like the rich even if he saved up enough money for a nice outfit. -
1770: Look 3
Temporary fashion for round hats, embroidered coat-cuffs, buckles of shoes were set with precious stones or paste, colors were brighter with shorter waistcoats and tail-coats, formal coats were elaborately embroidered, with silk thread flowers on the cuffs, seams, and tails, buttonholes became formalized, collars were heavily decorated, sleeves were longer and tighter, clothes fit closer to their bodies, and the three-piece suit was taking over. -
1780: Look 4
A wave of simplicity, enthusiasm for rural life, wore clothes for hard weather and boots for the muddiness of roads. The three-cornered hat and shoe buckles disappeared after the French Revolution, replaced by shoe-strings or boots. Collars of coats could be worn turned over or standing rigidly round the neck. Space between the neck and the collar was filled with a scarf, sleeves became narrower and very long, so little of the frills at the end of the shirt sleeve could be seen. -
1790: Look 5
It became dangerous to be seen in the streets of Paris in rich clothes, so cuts and materials were plainer, silks and satins vanished, making cotton, Indian print, and lawn popular. The Revolution was a victory for English fashions, top-boots, unembroidered coats, breeches made for hard wear in saddles, passed from country to town, men wore clothes suited for hunting, a short bamboo cane or riding-whip replaced the walking-stick of a few years prior.
