Fashion Plate - Men's Dress, 1860

Gentleman’s Magazine, 1860

By 1860, the frock coat was firmly established as the foundation of day wear for gentlemen. In this fashion plate, the frock coat is shown with checked trousers, a matching checked double-breasted waistcoat, white shirt, and narrow black stock. The top hat was the customary headgear to wear with the frock coat. Men’s hairstyles at this time featured long sideburns and trimmed mustaches.

The two boys display fashions appropriate for their age group. The younger boy wears a breeches suit consisting of a tunic over knee-length pants. The older boy, who is approaching his teenage years, wears striped trousers and waistcoat with a collarless jacket and billed cap. 

The woman is wearing a riding habit. The illustration shows how the extra length on the side of the skirt is held up when not sitting side saddle on the horse.