Gentlemen: a toast!
In England in the 19th century, among the upper classes dining became an art. Dining became a formal occasion: a time when it was required that men wore full evening dress. Typically, evening dress meant white tie and tails. However in military situations, full dress meant Mess Dress. Amazingly, Mess Dress hasn't changed much at all from the mid-19th century to today.
Mess Dress varies widely. The differences are not from year to year, however, but rather from regiment to regiment. Mess Dress always consists of a short jacket, usually scarlet, worn with a waistcoat and trousers.
Our easy-to-use pattern helps you make a Victorian Era Men's Army Mess Dress Jacket and Waistcoat for the 1850s through 1910s. Variations to conform to the 1856, 1868, 1881 and 1910s regulations included. Full instructions on how to build the jacket according to period tailoring techniques included.
Now with extra Downton Abbey goodness!
Fits chests 34" to 54", waists 28" to 50", and hips 35" to 55". All sizes in one envelope.
Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you've come to expect from Reconstructing History.
Suggested Fabrics: wool; linen or lightweight silk for lining; heavy linen, buckram or canvas for interlining
Notions: thread; buttons and braid for front and sleeve decoration; buckram or tailor’s canvas; wool felt or padding for collar; buttonhole floss
Yardage Requirements:
Tunic 2 yds 60” or 3.5 yds 45” wide
Waistcoat 1.5 yds 60” or 2 yds 45” wide
lining 3 yds 45” wide
interlining 2 yds 45” wide