Corduroy Coats

[cosmoblue]

How common would a corduroy jacket like this have been? This is an image of Mr. Robinson from RHP.

[Goblin, esq.]

cosmoblue said:

How common would a corduroy jacket like this have been? This is an image of Mr. Robinson from RHP.

I have no idea. :-)

Corduroy was used; I've seen pictures of corduroy breeches, and seen it mentioned other places. I've only seen references to silk corduroy, though I suppose it could have been done in wool, too.

www.marquise.de states: "I'm told that it [corduroy] was different from what you get now, but I've never seen the real thing."

[The Major]

Same here. Corduroy existed and was used for some garments. I've seen extant breeches of corduroy. But I've not seen or known of a coat made of it. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[Mme de Beaufort]

The first tailcoat I made for DH was in corduroy, mostly because of the dark velvetyness of it, an dit was also light so he wouldn't pass out from heat. But it turned out bad, mostly because corduroy has a nap, and the despite careful cutting the arm panels have opposite nap. It looks bad.

The breeches I made for DH are corduroy too... I don't like it. He needs new breeches.

[cosmoblue]

Well, very interesting. I love corduroy and I think that Captain Robinson's coat is fabulous.

[Mrs Parker]

I've seen images of tailcoats in very narrow wale corduroy in a Canadian museum's collection. I don't have the link at hand. MrP is on the computer with all the bookmarks but if it's still a matter of interest, I'll try to dig it out later.

Edited to say, of course I can't find said link however, I did find references in a Pennsylvania newspaper c. 1770-1800 a number of references to corduroy jackets, under jackets, vests, waistcoats, a cape and a great coat with a corduroy cape. Most of these were advertisements offering a reward for the return of an indentured servant who ran off.