The London Lounge

Posted: **Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:41 am**

After consulting Wikipedia and having had the benefit of learning much about Frock Coats, I am aware that the "correct" frock coat should be double-breasted.

I think quite a few folks here must be quite aware of my admiration for King George V's dress style. In fact, of all frock coats, the one he was wearing in a photograph shown on page 21 of Maria Constantino's MEN'S FASHION IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY From frock coats to intelligent fibres [1997] inspired me to aspire for a frock coat. Apart from the best waist seam or skirt I have ever seen on a frock coat (but only in 2-dimensional pictures), the lapel on that particular frock coat seems grandest. I think the collar is velvet, while there is a main silk facing on a velvet background which is in turn covered on its edge with silk again, making the lapel very stately looking.

So just as I was about to commission one, I suddenly realsed that His frock coat may not have been a double-breasted one. Can anyone who has access to this picture confirm my suspicion?

Posted: **Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:12 pm**

Hello Happy Stroller, fellow frock coat admirer!

I do not have access to that image, is there any way you could scan the photograph and post it? Anyway, as to what I know from Sator, the single-breasted frock coats became more fashionable at the turn of the century, and you can see in some photographs from the treaty of Versailles (1919) in which some head of states are wearing a single-breasted frock coat. Although they are correct, I definitely prefer the double-breasted frock coat, I think the single-breasting reduces in a way what is special in frock coats, but that depends very much on your style.

When you have your frock coat, please post photographs here on the LL, I would really appreciate it.

Posted: **Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:15 am**

Thank you very much, Sir, for your reassuring answer that a SB frock coat is pretty respectable (head of states at the Treaty of Versailles instance).

As for posting photographs, I'm not sure. My past attempts with regard to other items resulted in zero response!

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:40 am**

Some last minute checking before my SB frock coat is to be commissioned.

Does the frock coat have fold-back cuffs?

How many buttons should be on the sleeve? Should the sleeves be buttonable?

Are there two buttons on the back of the waistline, similar to those found on the morning and evening tailcoats?

I am also thinking of only one front button at the waistline. In fact, it will actually be a pair of button holes connected by a pair of metallic link buttons.

Your much appreciated comments, please.

The London Lounge

George V frock coat - SB?

George V frock coat - SB?