This exhibition presents an 18th-century man's suit, comprising a coat, breeches, and waistcoat, analyzed for its historical context, fabric composition, and cultural significance. It highlights fashion history during the Bourbon dynasty and the evolution of textiles and style.
This presentation, part of the 'Model of the Month' series for May, delves into an 18th-century man's suit from the Museo del Traje collection. The ensemble, consisting of a coat (casaca), breeches (calzón), and waistcoat (chupa), is meticulously described, focusing on the fabrics used, such as the droguet silk for the coat and breeches and a tisú silk for the waistcoat. The text explores the historical period, particularly the influence of the Bourbon dynasty and French fashion, detailing the economic and textile developments in Spain during the 18th century. It analyzes the construction of each garment, including the cut, embellishments like decorative buttons, and the quality of the materials, noting specific weaving techniques and color choices like 'canary yellow'. The 'traje a la francesa' style is discussed in relation to its adoption in Spain, its military origins, and its function as court attire. Furthermore, the provenance of the suit is traced through notable collectors like Olegario Junyent and Eusebio Güell, highlighting its journey to the museum collection and the museographical practice of assembling historical ensembles.