Men's frock coat, waistcoat, and shirt for theatrical production: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A men's frock coat, waistcoat, and shirt for a theatrical production. The frock coat (a) is made of dark green synthetic knit. It has a pointed collar which is made of a synthetic pattern weave with wide green stripes. The coat is open in the center front and has an elongated lapel on each side which extends below the waistline. The lapels are made of the green striped fabric on the exterior and dark green knit on the backside. Ten decorative plastic buttons covered in dark green synthetic knit fabric are sewn along the elongated lapels. The long sleeves end in three-and-a-half-inch self-fabric cuffs. The striped, green pattern weave fabric is sewn along the outside of the cuffs. Six decorative buttons matching those sewn along the center front opening are sewn on the proper left cuff. Five buttons are sewn on the proper right cuff, one of the buttons is not covered with fabric. A decorative pocket flap made of the striped pattern weave synthetic is sewn on each side of the center front opening at hip level. The back of the coat has a center back seam and a pair of princess seams that continue to the hem. The coat is lined with striped green pattern weave. The sleeves are lined with light green cotton synthetic blend. A stiffener is encased at the collar. The coat is unlabeled.

The waistcoat (b) is made of green striped pattern weave. It opens in the center front with twelve buttonholes which align with six buttons, the other buttons are missing. The self-fabric covered buttons are made of metal. A decorative pocket flap is sewn on each side at hip level made of the same fabric as the exterior of the waistcoat. The flaps are backed with light green cotton synthetic blend. A ten-inch vertical shaping dart is sewn on each side of the waistcoat and ends at the hem. The back of the waistcoat is made of light green cotton synthetic blend and has a center back seam. The waistcoat is lined with green cotton synthetic blend fabric. Pencil markings are seen along the buttonholes at the interior. The waistcoat is unlabeled.

The shirt (c) is made of light green cotton synthetic blend fabric. The shirt has a roll down collar with a notch at the center front. Three self-fabric ruffles are sewn below the collar at the center front to simulate a jabot. The long sleeves are gathered along the top of the shoulders. An elastic band is sewn though a channel four inches above the end of the sleeve. The back of the shirt has a seven-inch long opening at the top of the center back seam. The center back of the collar is open, the collar closes with a metal hook and eye. Another hook and eye set were previously sewn to the opening at the collar but are now missing. The bottom of the shirt and shirt sleeves have a double fold hem. The shirt is unlined and unlabeled.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: late 20th century
• Created by: Unidentified
• Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
• Type: frock coats
• Type: coats
• Type: shirts
• Type: waistcoats
• Medium: synthetic knit, synthetic pattern weave, cotton synthetic blend, plastic, stiffener and elastic
• Dimensions: a. frock coat
• Dimensions: Length (shoulder to hem): 42 1/4 in. (107.3 cm)
• Dimensions: Width (shoulder to shoulder): 18 in. (45.7 cm)
• Dimensions: Waist (flat): 18 in. (45.7 cm)
• Dimensions: b. waistcoat
• Dimensions: Length (shoulder to hem): 25 in. (63.5 cm)
• Dimensions: Width (shoulder to shoulder): 15 in. (38.1 cm)
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume
• Topic: Theatre
• Object number: 2007.3.902abc
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The displayed image also has an explicit CC0 designation. The underlying object's rights statement is: No known copyright restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.