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Mens Edwardian Clothing


Edwardian Clothing (1890s - 1920s)


As the Victorian Era came to a close and power passed to Prince Edward VII, an unmatched age of elegance and over-the-top opulence ensued --- it was the last hurrah of luxury and leisure before The Great War. While women's fashion changed dramatically, day and evening wear of the Edwardian gentleman remained quite the same with slim and tightly fitted looks in dark colors keeping favor - only small tweaks in tailoring, cuts of jackets, collar styles and such were of discernable notice.

However, a big boom was seen in apparel to dress a man for endeavors of sports and fitness - and of course, a fitting and fashionable outfit was de rigueur for every endeavor. While fox hunting, yachting and polo were in favor with aristocracy and men of considerable means, the efficiencies of a more modern society afforded the middle class time to pursue leisure activities such as golf, tennis, basketball, croquet, tennis, swimming and bicycling. Tennis whites, swimwear and knickers where in high demand. Bicycling became the "it" activity for nearly everyone, with bicycle ownership in the US growing from 200,000 to 1 million in just 10 years, and paved the proverbial road for the expansion of roads and advances in transportation.

As the 19th century came to a close, advances in science and technology, as well as the historical and geographic discoveries of the late victorian, led to a general feeling of optimistic modernity. This manifested in the day's fashions, with men's garments continuing the previous trends of slim and tightly fitted looks for both day and evening wear.

Formal events still called for opulent, traditional styles, but mens daywear at the turn of the century was business-like and very matter-of-fact, with many of the victorian frills falling away to leave the styles that inform fashion even today.

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Complete Edwardian Outfits


We offer a full line of men's period clothing which are suitable for movie and TV production, theatrical, living history and performing arts requirements, and are also perfect for vintage weddings!

All of the products we sell are sold individually, but we have put together these full outfits to showcase the elements of Edwardian style for your consideration and inspiration.

Click any image for a close-up and a list of the products shown.

Mens Edwardian Clothing


Elements of Edwardian Style

Mens Edwardian Clothing

During the Edwardian era, especially in the States, the preferred demeanor of manliness was that of robust, healthy masculinity - the image was significantly less fastidious and fussy than the early Victoria years dominated by dandies and bluebloods. This was influenced greatly by the rise in sports and outdoor activities as well as the admiration and mimicry of real-life characters such as then sitting President Theodore Roosevelt. Not only did Roosevelt establish the National Park system, encouraging adventure for the everyman, but his own personal exploits in the Rough Riders, on safari and in travels around the world were well documented for consumption by the populace.

Coats - By the 1890s, most men's coats were mass produced and distributed directly to retail stores across the US, although the wealthiest still dabbled in habdashery. Sack coats were the preferred pick, especially as the 1900s progressed, but other styles were still sold in smaller quantities and usually favored by the older generation. Regardless of the style, coats were typically tightly fitted through the body and sleeves, which were kept short to allow shirt cuffs to show. Coats and vests were both buttoned to the neckline and featured very small lapels and ties. Colors were dark, and a man was safe, sartorially speaking, in a black three-piece suit.

Vests - Vests followed coat styling with high necklines and slim cut lapels. Most often a part of the three piece suit for day wear, a vest was one of the few allotments for color for a gentleman so inclined. If the pants were a different color, then the vest would most often match the coat. The exception to this tightly styled collar and lapel was formal evening wear that featured a low cut U or V shape so that the snowy white shirt front would be visible.

Shirts - As in the previous Late Victorian Era, shirts typically featured detachable collars and cuffs, which allowed the wearer to alter the shirt's appearance by swapping out collars. Extremely high stand collars were very popular, but high stand wingtip and banker collars were also under every chin. Detachable collars and cuffs helped maintain a tidy presentation considering the infrequency of laundry day - although that started changing near the end of the era thanks to the invention of the electric washing machine (1907). Many shirts also featured a stud closure on the front which gave gentlemen another outlet for expressing fashion sense.

Trousers - Trousers began featuring a slimmer silhouette and were often shorter than previously worn. While monochromatic three-piece suits were prolific in business and casual social settings, daywear for the sophisticated man would likely include a pair of grey-and-black striped trousers to pair with a morning coat. Most pants of this era continued to feature a button fly and suspender buttons, and knickers (buttoned or elasticized under at the knee) were popular for sporting participation.

Hats - A proper gentlemen wouldn't head outside without a hat and retailers offered a variety of styles to suit every situation. While tall black top hats continued to be required for evening occasions, they were falling out of favor for day wear. Derbies, Homburgs, Triblys and Panama Straw Boaters ruled the day, as did wool caps and wheel hats for sporting and leisure events. Lower classes could be seen wearing a similar style newsboy cap. With the advent of the automobile, caps, gloves and goggles were often worn to increase comfort while driving.

Ties - Bowties, ascots and four-in-hand ties were all worn during the Edwardian era and one of the permitted "pops" of color. The bow tie remained a constant throughout the decades and varied mostly in size to suit the narrow openings at the top of vests and shirts.

Edward, the Playboy Prince, died in 1910 and with him came the end of an era. War was soon to sweep the continent and bring changes to attitudes, beliefs and fashion. Though day to day fashion changed, the influence of the era is still visible in men's suits, ties and evening wear.

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