Victorian Sack Coat / Sack Suit

      The 1858 - 1889 Sack Coat is the type of coat that a common businessman might have worn during his working hours. Shopkeepers, small town bankers, etc. gave today's suit coat its humble beginnings. It was considered impolite society for a gentleman to appear in his shirt sleeves before a lady other than his wife. Consequently, men walking around on the streets in their shirt sleeves would be considered "undesirable husband material". The fashionable Sack Suit, pictured at right with a notched collar vest, (a three (3) piece suit: Coat, Vest and Pants) continues to be the mainstay in today's business world. Many different styles of this coat are available on custom order.

    The coat is lined with cotton in a color to harmonize with the exterior wool. Roll type sack coat collar is featured. Coat comes with two exterior pockets at the waistline and one interior left breast pocket. Coat shown had had an optional exterior upper pocket added. Coat has three (3) cloth covered button front closure, buttons are supplied, but not sewn on. Ribbon edge trim can be added, or contrasting wool collar and pocket flaps can be added for a distinctive look with the solid color coat. Proper shirt for this coat is the Bleached White Muslin shirt.

The 1858 - 1889 Sack Suit includes the Coat, Vest and Trousers.  All three pieces match using selected fabrics from our fabric line that were popular during the 1860s.

The 1890 Sack Suit includes the Coat, Vest and Trousers.  All three pieces match using selected fabrics from our fabric line that were popular during the 1890s.  The sackcoat is fully lined with Polished cotton in a color to harmonize with the exterior color and has an inside pocket. Notched collar lapel and three cloth covered button front are standard. The coat features three special design exterior pockets- cut and shaped as in the photo.

The 1890 Sack Suit Trousers were cut in the "peg top" style, meaning the legs were tapered from the crotch to the ankle.  Button fly, side seam front pockets and a single back right hip pocket are standard. Suspenders are still worn with these trousers, as belt loops were not added to civilian men's trousers until the 1920s.  Flat front is standard, with pleated front offered as an option. Also, an adjusting belt may be added to the back of the trousers.

The 1890 Sack Suit notched collar Vest (see above suit photo) is featured with a Polished cotton back and 7 cloth covered button front.  Two waistline pockets are standard.

    Our civilian sack coat is made from quality lighter weight woolens than our military coats.