The suits and gentlemanly essentials you see today aren’t quite what they used to be.
And That’s what this article is about: I want to talk about five items of gentlemen’s clothing that were once must-have essentials but have since faded from importance.
Number 1: The Flat Cap
The flat cap was once a must-have item for every working-class gentleman. It quickly became popular in Britain in the 16th century after a law literally forced men to wear wool caps on Sundays to boost the wool industry. Even after the law slowly lost its place, the flat cap stuck around. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was worn by everyone from farmers and coal miners to city workers and even the occasional upper-class man trying to look “earthy.” In cities like Manchester, Sheffield, and Glasgow, it was practically part of the male uniform, but somewhere along the way, the flat cap stopped being popular. By the mid-to-late 20th century, it started being seen as “old men,” and is now more likely to be spotted on someone’s grandfather feeding birds in the park than a young gentleman stepping into a bar. While the flat cap does make occasional comebacks (and yes, Tommy Shelby helped give it a second chance to trend), it no longer holds the social weight it once did.
Number 2: The Stiff Collar
Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the stiff collar was one of the clearest signs you were a proper gentleman. This wasn’t like the regular shirt collar you now know. It was a separate, detachable piece, made from heavily starched cotton or even celluloid, which was a kind of early plastic. Men wore it to keep their collars looking smooth and clean without having to wash the whole shirt all the time. That might sound pretty smart, but there was one major downside. These collars were really uncomfortable. They could dig into your neck, limit your movement, and some were even sharp enough to cut skin if you weren’t careful, but men liked that the stiff collar gave that upright, rigid posture. In fact, that’s where the phrase “stiff-collared” came from, but by the time the 1920s and 1930s rolled around, the stiff collar started falling out of favor. More casual, attached shirt collars were becoming the new norm, and people were ready to ditch all the effort and discomfort of keeping detachable collars clean and starched. You’ll rarely see a man reaching for one today unless he’s trying to cosplay as a gentleman from the 1890s.
Number 3: The Frock Coat
The frock coat was once the go-to outerwear for real gentlemen in the 1800s, especially throughout the Victorian era. It was the definition of top-tier style, manly dignity, and a high social standing. The coat was long, reaching down to the knees or even lower, and it had a defined waist with a full skirt that flared out below. Politicians, lawyers, doctors, and anyone with high status wore it proudly. It made them look taller, slimmer, and a lot more respectable. If you wanted to be taken seriously in society, especially in public or professional settings, and you weren’t wearing a frock coat, you weren’t serious about it. Sadly, after around 1900, the frock coat began to lose importance. Society started going for more relaxed gentleman styles, so the morning coat and lounge suit soon took its place. These newer styles were lighter, less formal, and easier to move in. World War I pretty much sealed the deal as the war influenced politics, borders, and even fashion. When soldiers came home, they weren’t interested in stiff, heavy coats anymore. They wanted something simple and practical. The lounge suit, which is what we now think of as the regular business suit, became the new standard. Now, you’re actually more likely to see the frock coat in historical movies or museums than in real life.
Number 4: The Stroller
The stroller suit, also known as the black lounge suit, was once a staple of upper-class men’s daytime semi-formal wear, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You’d see men wearing it to daytime weddings, luncheons, church services, or even to work if they were in the kind of job that required formality but not full ceremonial dress. Winston Churchill and bankers of the early 1900s were often seen in strollers. For them, it hit that sweet spot between full formal and casual while being very presentable but not over-the-top. Then came World War II. After it ended, so did the reign of the stroller. People started to prefer simplicity and comfort, and the idea of changing outfits depending on the time of day just felt outdated. The modern business suit became the all-purpose outfit, and the stroller became something only older generations wore. By the 1950s and ’60s, it had mostly disappeared from daily wear. Today, you’ll probably only see a stroller outfit at a themed event, a royal wedding, or an old movie set in Edwardian London.
Number 5: The Walking Stick
The walking stick used to be more than just something to lean on. It was the O.G. fashion statement and a symbol of class. In the 18th and 19th centuries, gentlemen carried walking sticks because it was seen as a very important part of a proper outfit, not even because they couldn’t walk without them. The walking sticks were often custom-made, decorated with gold, ivory, or exotic wood. Some even had hidden blades or compartments, especially among aristocrats or military men who liked the idea of being stylish and prepared. For a long time, leaving home without your cane was like going out today without your phone. It just felt wrong. As the 20th century began, walking sticks started losing their appeal. The modern suit didn’t really need accessories like that, and urban life made it pretty impractical. Soon enough, walking sticks looked out of place in casual or fast-paced environments. Unless someone needed one for medical reasons, they stopped carrying them. These days, walking sticks are mostly used by older people for support or by collectors who love vintage style.
Which of these do you think needs to trend again? Let us know in the comments. If you enjoyed this video, then hit the like button and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more like this. I hope to see you in the next one.
