Purple Striped Velvet with Stars Suit
2P – (1964.061.005) – c.1790
I do not think I’m exaggerating if I say I think this is the wildest fabric suit we’ve studied so far. I genuinely kept expecting star dust to twinkle out of the pockets like some magicians coat.
The numbering for this coat (2P) has two items linked to it. These are the coat, and also a pair of breeches.
The fact that this coat comes with a matching pair of breeches, is ALWAYS infinitely more valuable from a knowledge point of you. To be able to see how the coat and breeches work together, what their corresponding waist measurements are, how they sit in relation to each other in height, etc etc. But the benefits of all of this can only be learnt through replication and the ability to dress and undress the garments.
As to details, the pattern drafting shows that this might be a later coat compared to the rest of the clothing that survives. The waist height has risen and the back skirts have become slimmer. It is strange though with this collection for just looking at the general details, one wouldn’t see too many differences. All of the Reverend Parkinson’s coats feature a plain round cuff of similar depths with 3 plain buttons. They all feature a stand collar of similar depths. And a 3 pointed pocket flap with 3 plain buttons. It is in the patterns and construction techniques where the differences really stand out. It is a shame too that only 2 breeches survive as it would have been wonderful to have more comparisons for the 2 that survive.
Other interesting titbits:
Interesting Details:
(apart from the fabric!)
Cuff depth – 5 1/16″ at back, 4 3/4″ at front with an fashionable overhang of about 3/4″.
Pkt flap depth – 4 1/4″
