The mid 18th century was an incredibly extravagant period in history, the French were the leaders of all things fashionable at this time. Men’s and women’s fashions were ornate and overly decorated.
Men’s coats were often made of beautiful silk brocades, rows of decorative buttons were added to the pockets, cuffs and knee breeches. The large cuffs were turned back almost to the elbow and often embroidered. Knee breeches were made of the same fabric as the coat. Stockings were made of cream silk, cotton or wool, the black leather shoes had a squared toe, large tongue and metal buckles. By the middle of the century men were beginning to wear their hair in curls that they tied at the back of their neck. Lace handkerchiefs, snuff-boxes and decorated gloves finished off the outfit of a fashionable gentleman.
Later in the century men’s fashions became more practical. The coat became tighter fitting, the waistcoat became short and the large cuffs disappeared. The bright colours, beautiful embroidery, lace and decorative buttons still remained and important part of rococo fashions.
A group of men took these fashions to extremes, they were called ‘macaronis’. They wore wigs piled high on their heads and powdered them white using flour. Powdered hair lasted until 1795 when Mr Pitt imposed a tax on it, he hoped to raise money from this move, instead everybody stopped wearing it.
Heavy make-up was worn, the skin was whitened and rouge was used on the lips and cheeks. Black beauty patches were popular, these were cut into various shapes. Washing was considered unhealthy so all of the make-up and patches worn helped to cover up dirt, spots and small pox scars. Not surprisingly perfume was very popular!
Below is a great cartoon showing macaronis at their most flamboyant, in contrast to the more conservative man on the right.
As with many things, the French revolution dramatically changed how a fashionable man dressed and the fabulous Rococo age came to an end.
Tags: Articles // Add Comment »
