Definition of the word morning dress

The term "morning dress" originated in the 19th century as a specific type of formal attire for men to wear during the morning hours. At that time, gentlemen typically wore suits or coats for other daytime activities, such as business meetings or enjoying leisure time in the afternoon or evening. The term "morning dress" was chosen to distinguish the distinctive clothing worn during the morning hours from these other types of garments. The morning dress consisted of a single-breasted jacket, often made of tweed or other woolen material, paired with matching trousers and a waistcoat. The jacket generally had a double-breasted style and knee-length breeches completed the look. A silk ascot or cravat was worn around the neck, and hosiery and lace-up shoes completed the outfit. Morning dress became a symbol of social status and respectability, especially in the upper classes who regularly attended morning religious services at church. Eventually, the style evolved over time, and morning dress became more relaxed, with less restrictive clothing such as flannel jackets and knee-breeches being replaced by more comfortable fabrics such as corduroy and tweed in a one-piece suit known as an "Eton suit". Today, the term "morning dress" is still occasionally used to refer to traditional formal attire for men when dressing for formal occasions such as weddings, church services or golf clubs that maintain a dress code, but it has largely been replaced by the term "business attire" or "suit" for daily wear.