Wit gilet c. 1850 - 1920

This "Wit gilet" was made by Henry Poole & Company, famous tailors of Savile Row, London. This garment transcends mere fashion. It speaks volumes about the historical context of class, gender and identity. In a time when attire was strictly coded, sartorial choices reflected and reinforced social hierarchies. The gilet was traditionally part of a three-piece suit, a staple in upper-class male wardrobes. Henry Poole & Company catered to nobility, royalty, and other leaders. Their creations embodied power, prestige and status, which was not available to everyone, reflecting the social stratification of the time. Think about how something as simple as a garment could signify inclusion or exclusion from certain spheres of society. Consider also the gendered aspect of this clothing, and the ways in which traditional representations of masculinity were constructed and maintained through dress. The gilet offers a glimpse into the personal and emotional dimensions of identity. What did it mean to wear it? Whose stories are woven into its fabric?