Monday 12 June 1665

Up, and in my yesterday’s new suit to the Duke of Albemarle, and after a turne in White Hall, and then in Westminster Hall, returned, and with my taylor bought some gold lace for my sleeve hands in Pater Noster Row. So home to dinner, and then to the office, and down the River to Deptford, and then back again and to my Lord Treasurer’s, and up and down to look after my Tangier business, and so home to my office, then to supper and to bed.

The Duke of Yorke is sent for last night and expected to be here to-morrow.

12 Annotations

First Reading

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"sleeve hands"

cuffs (L&M Large Glossary)

Carl in Boston  •  Link

The Duke of Earl
Our hero is swanking about in all the usual haunts showing off his new clothes. No harm came of it, no harm, he might do some more, this astonishing the multitude with his new clothing. He might even get a taste for colored clothing instead of black. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, the seasons are a flying. If you've got it, flaunt it, but not at the supermarket or liquor store. One day I had to run out and get some baking needs (brandy) while cooking in my Red Western Shirt with silver scroll hicky doos and quartered black collars, and they asked at the liquor store if I was all right. Yes, I was fine, this is what I wear while cooking and I need some brandy right away for the turkey.
I must admit, I was trained by a guy who spent years on the Liberace Show. Sometimes flashy clothing looks normal.

Michael Robinson  •  Link

"Sometimes flashy clothing looks normal."

Thanks Carl a wonderful image; SP in Vegas seated in new suit and gold lace cuffs at a gold plated triangle with candelabrum atop, a backing band of viols. [instrument and props the gifts of Warren, Gauden et al.] Helps to fill the gaps in "so pleasant, ingenious, and harmless, I cannot desire better" describing yesterdays musical evening.

Robert Gertz  •  Link

Wish his brother Tom were there. (For those who remember the old Liberace line)

***
A few days ago I doubt Sam would have dared show his face in anything but the most severe black...Near mourning for "our boys" at sea...Now it's gold lace trim on the sleeves and color. What a difference victory makes.

Today's episode of "The Diary of Samuel Pepys", in color...er, colour.

"Mother, this is not the Commonwealth. And a gentleman in the government must look the part."

"I still says it's not right when the man dresses in more colors and fancy trim than the lady." Margaret shakes head.

"Oh..." Sam shakes gold lace sleeves at her...

"Sam'l is quite right, Mother Pepys." Bess notes solemnly. "Why Sir William Batten was just praising his suit."

"Oh, really?" Sam, beaming.

"Yes, he'd like Unthankes to make one just like it for Lady Batten." she takes Margaret off, giggling. "And since we can share it, the expense is not so bad."

Betty Martin said it was a grand suit...Sam, sulkily eyeing the retreating pair.

Tom Carr  •  Link

Here's a great site showing 17th fashion.

The cuffs were quite large.

The picture titled: "Satirical plate showing the excesses of "The Habit of an English Gentleman" of c.1660" also shows the ribbons that Sam has mentioned previously.

http://www.costumes.org/history/1…

CGS  •  Link

Thanks Tom , English gent, 'e be back in style in this neck of the woods judging modern men's vogue.

Carl in Boston  •  Link

"The cuffs were quite large" Actually they are small and end two inches above the wrist. Proper length for the time was two inches below the wrist, proving the wearer was a gentleman incapable of useful work in such cuffs. (Oboe players often wear cuffs that long). My daughter is from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, so we're up on this. I wear my cuffs an inch longer than most people, but that's what I like. Modern men are very conservative and wear their cuffs at the wrist, a suit coat if worn shows 1/4 inch of shirt cuff, and anything else looks wrong. When it comes to cuffs, you can wear what you want, really, and no one will shoot you.
Speaking of Liberace, The Master, we have a #6 candleabrum from the Liberace Museum in Vegas, I'm looking at it. It's beautiful.

dirk  •  Link

Evelyn's diary today:

"I went back to Dover, din’d with the Governor at the Castle, returnd to Deale:"

Second Reading

Sasha Clarkson  •  Link

Carl in Boston mentioned "Gather ye rosebuds...", which reminded me that dear old Robert Herrick was still going strong in 1665. so, in honour of all those whose lives were cruelly cut short by war plague and fire, here is his famous poem/song:

To The Virgins, Make Much Of Time

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may:
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles to-day,
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the Sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best, which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times, still succeed the former.

- Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.

Here is a rather nice musical version on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R…

Alas, Sam's and Herrick's paths never crossed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob…

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