Life in London, or, The day and night scenes of Jerry Hawthorn, Esq. and his elegant friend, Corinthian Tom, accompanied by Bob Logic, the Oxonian, in their rambles and sprees through the metropolis

1821

Special Collections DA683 E426 1821

London: Printed for Sherwood Neely & Jones

This Saloon ‘occasion’ is from Pierce Egan’s widely successful Life of London (1821), illustrated by caricaturist George Cruikshank. Regency ‘men about town’ Tom and Jerry revel in Beau Brummell’s perfectly tailored dandyism of linen shirts, high collars, and trousers (which he popularised). Other aspects of fashion are present: sideburns, ‘Brutus’ hair styles (no periwigs or powder), tight breeches, silk stockings, and cravats. For high society women afternoon or evening dress was the choice: high waistlines, cone-shaped skirts, exposed shoulders, hem and neckline decorations, and pinched sleeves. Although Cruikshank portrays the excesses of English fashion, there was a move towards practicality of dress in this period; a decided informality that enabled individuals to reflect something of their personality in their dress.