During the 1880s, the world of fashion for men was quite different than that of today. While there were higher-end fashion trends that were seen in certain social sets, the majority of men had quite a limited range of fashion items. Most men of the day had to make do with whatever basic clothing items they could afford.
The poor men of the 1880s often had to make do with any items that they could find. This meant searching through second-hand stores or making their own clothes if they had any sort of sewing skills. Some of the clothing items present during this time included plain shirts, long coats, trousers, and vests.
Underneath the more formal clothing of the 1880s, most men would wear woolen underwear. This included drawers, woolen stockings, and a special kind of long-sleeved woolen shirt called a ‘wams.’ The woolen underwear was often heavy and itchy, but it was able to keep the wearer warm even on the coldest of days.
The materials used during the 1880s were often very simple. This meant that most clothing items had to be carefully stitched together and constantly mended. The men of the time had to make sure that they were able to keep their clothing in good condition in order to make sure that it was presentable. This meant that these men had to take extra care of their clothes in an effort to keep them clean and in good condition.
It was also during this period that some men began to express themselves through fashion. As the higher-end fashion items were quite expensive and out of reach of most men, some of them started to create their own unique style. This could range from applying patches to their clothing items to adding unique jewelry or accessories. These fashion-forward individuals were often thought to be eccentric but they were highly respected by their peers.
Though the fashion choices of the 1880s may seem quite simple and outdated when compared to the current trends, they were quite meaningful and essential for the men of that time. The clothing of the 1880s allowed men to express their style and personality while providing them with the necessary warmth and coverage.
Materials
Another detail of men’s fashion during the 1880s was the materials used for clothing. During this time, fabrics such as wool, cotton, and linen were the most commonly used. While more expensive fabrics such as silk or velvet were also worn, they were only affordable for those of higher social status. It was also during this time that colorful patterns and detailed embroideries started to appear on men’s clothing.
The fabrics used for clothing during this time were often of high quality. This was especially true when it came to the clothing of the wealthy. Some richer men started to wear clothing made of silk and velvet as a way to demonstrate their status. This would often involve having colorful, hand-embroidered patterns on their clothing items.
Though the fabrics used during the 1880s are quite different from those used today, they were still essential in keeping people warm during the cold winter months. The materials also allowed people to express their personality and style and to differentiate themselves from others.
Acessories
The accessories of the 1880s were especially important for men’s fashion. Many of the accessories during this era were made of expensive materials such as gold and silver and were often handcrafted. Men could show their wealth and status by wearing fancy accessories such as pocket watches, fancy hats, walking sticks or canes.
Jewelry was also quite common in the fashion of the 1880s. Rings, necklaces, and cufflinks were all popular accessories. Most of these were made of precious metal and often had intricate engravings or designs. This type of jewelry was quite expensive and only available to those of high social status.
Though most of these accessories may seem quite outdated today, they were essential for men during the 1880s. These items were signs of a man’s wealth and status and were necessary for dressing well during the time.
Footwear
The choice of footwear for men during the 1880s was mostly limited to boots and slippers. Boots were the main option and were often made of leather or canvas with rubber soles. These boots were designed to provide protection as well as comfort. They also had higher heels than the boots of today which helped men to walk on the cobblestone streets of the cities.
Slippers were also quite popular during this era. These were usually made of velvet or silk and had a special foot liner that was designed to protect the wearer from cold weather. Slippers were highly versatile and could be worn both indoors and outdoors. They often had intricate embroidery patterns as a way to show off the owner’s wealth and status.
Though the shoes of the 1880s may seem quite outdated to today’s standards, they were essential for the time. These shoes were designed to provide comfort and protection and were necessary for men to traverse the cities of the day.
Hats
The hats of the 1880s were quite varied and had many different styles. In general, hats were the most popular type of headwear during this period. Some of the more popular styles included the fedora, the bowler, and the top hat. Beret-style hats were also popular, especially among sailors.
The hats of this time period often had embroidered patterns and varied greatly in size and style. The most expensive hats were often handcrafted and made with luxurious materials such as velour or velvet. These hats were often reserved for the wealthy classes.
The hats of the 1880s may seem outdated today but they were essential for protecting the heads of men during this period. They were also used as a way to express a man’s personality and wealth.
Fashion Statements
The fashion of the 1880s provided men with a way to express themselves and to differentiate themselves from others. As most of the clothing items were quite plain and simple, men often had to rely on accessories and details in order to show off their style. Items such as pocket watches, canes, and hats were all used as fashion statements.
Some men also used to create their own unique style. This could involve applying custom patches to their clothing items or creating their own embroidered patterns. This was a way for them to demonstrate their creativity and fashion sense while still abiding by the general fashion rules of the time.
Though the fashion of the 1880s may seem outdated today, it was still quite meaningful and essential to the men of that time. Fashion was used as a way to express their personality and to differentiate themselves from others.
