This double-breasted coat demonstrates the exaggerated style of the late 1790s. It has a very high turned-down collar and large revers (lapels). The coat is now cut straight across in front and, following the example of women’s dress, the waistline is several inches above the natural level. The double-breasted style in both coats and waistcoats was a fashion that began in the 1780s. The fabric of this coat is poplin, a blend of silk and worsted (wool), popular for summer wear. The coat is adorned with large cut-steel buttons, continuing a fashion for over-sized buttons, which started in the 1770s. Cut-steel became a popular material for buttons and shoe-buckles in the 1750s. It imitated the brilliance of paste, but at a fraction of the price.