Dressing Up Edwardian With Suits, Shoes and Hats for Men

Dressing a man in the 1910's, during the Edwardian fashion era, is not very different from today. There are, however a few details which separate historical from modern.

The Sack Suit 

For starters, Men wore Sack suits. These were long, plain, loose fitting (some might say baggy) suit jackets with wide lapels and a one to three button closure. Modern suits are similar but usually shorter in length and fitted. Sacks suits were usually 30-32 inches long (down to mid thigh) and either single or double breasted. Color choices were dark Navy, Grey, Green and occasionally brown. Fabrics were all wool with hints of striping, checks and plaid. The jacket could hang with straight opening edges or rounded. The overall look was a box shape jacket with pants with roomy hips and legs that hung straight down to the ankles and tapered slightly (a drastic change from pre- 1900's very narrow, tapered legs.)

A white or ivory silk vest with, or without lapels, was worn under the suit. The vest cut was mid chest, at the lowest, to be seen under the jacket.

Under the vest was a basic day shirt. These, like modern dress shirts, were light colors of whites, greys, and subtle striping. Shirt fronts have a "yoke" bib style (similar to a modern formal tux shirt.) Collars could be wing tip, pointed down, or club collar.

The Shoes 

Moving on we look at shoes. Here is where we start to see major differences in style. Men could choose between three types of shoes, largely depending on where the shoes were going to be worn.

Boots were designed for heavy walking and were usually worn for traveling, business and labor jobs. They were not ugly or bland. They were often two tone with the upper half white like a shoe spats, or a lighter color then the sole. Laces laced half way up and then switched to loop and hooks for the remainder of the height. The toes were pointed and the arches were high.

The next option for business wear was the oxford. These are very similar to men's dress shoes today. Single tone and a few two-tones were starting to enter the fashion scene. Arches were also quite high.

Finally, formal attire might invite a man to wear "Pumps." Ok you can stop laughing now. Yes men's shoes were called "Pumps." They look like a cross between a men's oxford and a modern women's low-heeled flats. They had the details of an oxford with a high arch and 1-2 inch thick heel.

Gloves and Hats 

Men always wore gloves. Common colors were White, Grey or Tan and they often matched the neck wear. Bow ties, neckties and cravat ties were equally necessary in men's dress.

Topping a man with a hat was the last bit of fashion a well-dressed Edwardian man needed. Derbies or bowlers were acceptable day wear while top hats were worn for formal occasions.