Dressed to Kill, Dressed to Till
Tartan or “Scotch Plaid” cloaks for both men and women were heavily imported into the United States from Scotland during the period 1810-1840. Women’s cloaks are usually distinguished by the presence of welted slits for their arms and were simpler in cut, with no gathering to the cape. Lightweight, yet wet-resistant and providing a good degree of warmth, they were extremely popular with travelers. Before the provision of uniform greatcoats in the 1830s, West Point cadets were criticized for wearing them when on guard duty in inclement weather. This man’s cloak is made of a hard tartan plaid in greens, red and black and lined with green baize. It cape is 14 ¼ inches deep at center back and lined with a fine, glazed worsted of plainweave , while the fall-down collar is 4 inches at the same point. The cape body is approximately 54 inches long.
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