Coats of the 1750’s were boxier in shape than the coats worn later in the 18th century. This coat has very full skirts, deep cuffs, a straighter front line, and roomier sleeves than coats of the 1770’s and 1780’s. The body of this coat fits close to the person and the armholes are set high and back to reinforce a correct, erect 18th century posture.
Made up as a civilian coat, this design will be appropriate for almost any occasion, depending on your choice of fabric and trimmings. As a military coat, please consult your own documentation for suggestions on fabric weights, trims and ornamentation. As there were over 120 different military units in the 1750’s-1760’s, please make whatever changes may be necessary to conform this pattern to your own personal requirements.

Enclosed you will find a plain cuff, a functional mariner’s cuff, and a curved cuff. All the pieces were designed to fit together, so you may mix and match.

This coat is designed to fit comfortably over shirt, breeches and waistcoat. If you plan to wear your coat over a sleeved waistcoat, please fit it accordingly. Depending on the weight of the fabric you have used for your waistcoat, it may be necessary to expand the sleeves on the coat.

This original coat pattern is fashioned after an extant example of an officer’s regimental worn by Capt. Thomas Plumbe, Royal Lancashire Militia c. 1760.

Certain elements have been taken from an extant 1750’s coat of cut and uncut velvet in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Close attention has also been paid to the works of Swiss artist, David Morier, who painted a grenadier of each regiment according to the 1751 Warrant for the Duke of Cumberland, and to the simple drawings, later engraved, by Lt. William Baillie of the 13th Foot, 1753. I note with interest that one of his drawings of Cpl. Jones clearly shows fall front breeches.

The Recollections of J. P. Ryan
PO Box 1484
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1484 
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© 2001 Janice Pence Ryan  All rights reserved