Typical colors for men were dark blue, green or brown double-breasted overcoats with black velvet collars; plum, chestnut or gray-brown coats; white, tan, cream, fawn or buff pantaloons for daywear; light blue riding cravats; white neckclothes for evening; white waistcoats for evening wear; also yellow, golden brown, pale green, light blue, gray-lilac waistcoats for day; gray, white, tan or black top hats; white, gray or black silk stockings, sometimes striped for daywear; and black shoes or boots.

"We worship not the Graces, nor the Parcæ, but Fashion. She spins and weaves and cuts with full authority. The head monkey at Paris puts on a traveller’s cap, and all the monkeys in America do the same."

~ Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862), U.S. philosopher, author, naturalist.

"The fashion wears out more apparel than the man."

~ William Shakespeare (1564–1616) Much Ado about Nothing.