OverDressed for Life

A Dandy is heroically consecrated to this one object; the wearing of clothes wisely and well. So that others dress to live, he lives to dress. 

– Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), Scottish historian and novelist.

This quote is from Carlyle’s novel Sartor Resartus (The Tailor Re-tailored) published in 1836, but I found it in Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Man of Style by Ian Kelly.

Beau (aka George) Brummell was the first Dandy, having turned men’s fashions of the late 18th century upside down. He rejected the trendy wig, powdered face, and ruffled shirt and instead strut about in tight beige jodhpurs-like-slacks, boots, and tailored blazers in black. Indeed he is credited with creating the first suit for men. He bathed regularly (unheard of at the time) and went without fragrance. The Prince Regent was influenced by Brummell as were most of London’s aristocrats. What he did and how he dressed was of such interest that men would arrive at his front door in the early mornings asking to watch him dress, which took two hours. He was a wealthy young man with a gift for witty banter and luck at the gambling table. Until it all flitted away.

Brummell’s is a fascinating story and good read for those quiet moments during the holiday season. We do get some of those, right?