Jones New York Neckties

History of Fashion In Men’s Clothing

One of the major characteristic of western civilization since the middle of the 18th century has been the trend toward democratization. The “Common Man” has slowly but steadily been acquiring greater stature and importance. Fashion did not even exist for him before the French revolution; only the nobility had either the time or money to concern itself with clothing for any reason other than protection and decency.  Kings were the arbiter of fashion, but the average man gave little thought to kingly raiment.

The first no regal fashion leader is generally conceded to Richard (Beau) Nash, who lived in England from 1674 to 1762. Nash is credited with introducing wearing of shoes and stockings – rather than boots – at social gatherings. Unquestionably a “dandy,” he wore an immense white tricorne hat and suits of brightly colored satin adorned with much rich embroidery. He introduced no codes for balls, abolished the wearing of swords, and helped put out dueling into disrepute.

Beau Brummell (1778 – 1849), another famous fashion arbiter, wrote two authoritative volumes on male and female dress, popularized the wearing of woolens and worsteds rather than silks, helped popularized the top hat, and sponsored the idea to simplicity in dress could be elegant. He is credited with the introduction of cleanliness is a fashionable virtue. He was also responsible for introducing the fashion of wearing only black and white for evening wear.  There have been many famous dandies since Brummell, but no one has extended a fraction of his influence. In his day, the number of men who were at all concerned with fashion are very limited. Today it is necessary for a fashion arbiter to be seen by greater numbers in order to leave his imprint on the fashion scene.

Newspapers and magazine have contributed immensely to the influence of the fashion leader, but the leader must of necessity be newsworthy to justify his frequent appearance on the printed page. The Duke of Windsor was the acknowledge fashion leader of the 1930′s because of his enormous popularity; newspapers and magazine printed as many of his photograph as they can acquire. The Duke introduce the double-breasted blazer, the widespread collar, the “English drape” suit and the bulky necktie knot, among many other fashion innovations.

Sports figure also helped to shape the course of fashion. Golfer Bobby Jones did much to popularize plus-fours (knickers), and baseball’s Babe Ruth contributed the woolen cap to the urban fashion picture. Actors, especially “matinee idols,” have the power to influence fashion. Clark Gable popularized the sport shirt; Adolph Menjou and Carry Grant were responsible for the introduction of many new fashion ideas. On the stage, actors such as John Barrymore and Rex Harrison have also influence man’s fashion. Political figures such as James J. (Jimmy) Walker, former mayor of New York City, and Goover Whalen, former official greeter of New York City have left their imprint of man’s fashion. Students at Ivy League College like Princeton, Yale, and Harvard have also initiated many new fashion ideas that have spread throughout the United States. 

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