Prince Edward of Wales was a trendsetter for men's fashion in the 1880s.
The silhouette of men's fashion in the 1880s was narrow and fitted. The fabric was typically some kind of wool cloth, such as tweed. Bowler hats and, later in the decade, straw boater hats and deerstalker caps were popular, as were ankle-length boots and leather gloves. Unlike women's fashions of the period, this style would persist well into the turn of the 20th century.
Day Wear
For day wear in 1880 a British gentleman might put on a single-breasted gray cloth tailcoat with a black velvet collar and self-covered buttons. With it he'd wear a blue waistcoat, white shirt with a stand-up collar and red cravat. He'd also wear gray trousers and black boots. In 1885 day wear might be a two-piece green wool tweed suit with a single-breasted jacket, self-covered buttons, a white shirt with a pointed collar and bowler hat, ankle boots and leather gloves. He might also replace his bowler with a straw hat. By 1888 the Sherlock Holmes caped topcoat was in fashion. A gentleman might wear a calf-length wool topcoat with a shoulder cape that fell to the elbows with hip-level flap pockets. He would have on brown trousers, a white shirt, tie and a brown hat. His button-up boots would be made of leather and canvas. The ensemble would be worn with leather gloves.
Sports and Leisure Wear
In 1880 a British bicycling outfit would be a suit with a fitted jacket and knee breeches. The bicyclist would also wear knitted stockings and lace-up ankle boots, a pillbox hat and leather gloves. By 1888 a tennis outfit would be a single-breasted striped jacket with patch pockets and stitched cuffs, white shirt and striped tie, and white flannel trousers. A straw boater hat and white cotton gloves would be worn with this. A British country outfit of the same period would be a two-piece checked wool suit, a single-breasted jacket with box pleats from the shoulder to knee, and knee breeches with button-up cuffs. The boots would be made of black leather, worn with knitted socks. A tweed hat with earflaps would also be part of the ensemble.
Evening Wear
Evening wear in the 1880s would be standard for many years. Even now it wouldn't look out of place at a formal event. In 1882 a British gentleman might wear a two-piece fine black wool suit. The tailcoat would be worn open and have a long roll collar faced with black satin. The narrow sleeves would have stitched cuffs and button trim. The trousers would be narrow. The single-breasted, white cotton pique waistcoat would have a low-cut neckline with a roll collar. The gentleman might wear a white muslin starched front shirt and a high stand-up collar, with a white cotton pique bow tie. The black patent leather pumps would be trimmed with petersham bows and worn with white stocks. The kid gloves would be white.
Underclothes and Night Wear
Sleepwear of 1881 might consist of an ankle-length blue and white striped loose nightshirt made of cotton with a short collar, button cuffs and leather mules. Underwear in 1885 would be a collarless, double-breasted all-in-one knitted wool outfit with ribbed cuffs and ankle-length drawers .
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