An 18th-century French silk formal 'habit à la française' — the three-piece ensemble of embroidered waistcoat, frock coat, and breeches required for court attendance at Versailles. The delicate floral embroidery and the subtly coloured silks exemplify the opulence of ancien-régime French male dress and the craftsmanship of Parisian tailoring. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds it as a reference object in its Costume Institute collection.

Exhibition Venue

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Manhattan, United States