Curious Marks on Men's Coats.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue III, 18 July 1903, Page 148

Curious Marks on Men's Coats.

The general lack of picturesqueness about the present-day male attire is frequently lamented, yet how many people are aware that the average man carries on his eoat at least two historical relics, one of which dates back to feudal times? This relic of the times of William the Conqueror consists of the two buttons worn at the back of a morning or frock coat. The buttons are, of course, Useless for any practical purpose; and, inasmuch as they are certainly not decorative, you may naturally ask what they are there for.

Sartorial historians now tell us that these two buttons come down to us from the sword-bearing age, when they were placed at the back of the coat for the purpose of supporting a sword belt, which, together with the sword, has long since been discarded, save by military men, the sole remaining evidence of its existence being the two buttons. Thus, to this day they remain on our coats as mute witnesses of the days that are gone.

The other historical relic which still survives in our modern coats is the nick in the lapel. Though you have been wearing coats and waistcoats ever since childhood’s early days you have probably never thought to inquire whether or not there is any reason why tailors should continue to make this nick. It is now recalled by sartorial experts that when Napoleon first felt the sway of boundless ambition he tried to implicate General Moreau in Bichegreu’s conspiracy. As you will doubtless remember, Moreau had been the Man of Destiny’s rival, and was an exceedingly popular soldier; but, in the circumstances, with Le Detit Caporal in power, it was not safe to publicly express sympathy with Moreau. So it came about that his admirers and supporters secretly agreed to niek their coat lapels to show their fellowship, the outlines of the coat, after the cut had been made, forming the letter M. It would be interesting to learn if men carry any other marks about their dress which have historic origins or associations.