Macaroni Fashion, Wig, 1773

Macaroni Fashion, Wig, 1773

Entitled: "The enraged macaroni." Shows a woman fish vendor holding fish in face of dandy who is pulling knife from sheath, as another woman, in window behind him, cuts his hair. Macaroni (or maccaroni), from the Italian word, maccherone, which literally means a boorish fool, described the height, and often the extremes, of male fashion in the mid 1700's. Brought from the continent by young men on their Grand Tour, macaroni dress took the standard male wardrobe to absurd lengths. Coats were tight. Huge buttons decorated short waistcoats. Narrow, dainty shoes sported buckles almost larger than they were. And copious amounts of lace, ribbon, ruffles and whatever other outrageous decoration took the wearer's fancy trimmed the outfits, with everything in gaudy colors and showy fabrics like silks and satins. The most obvious feature of macaroni fashion was the wig. They were excessively elaborate and tall, and often crowned with a tiny hat that could be removed only with the point of a sword. Illustrated by Philip Dawe, 1773.

PHILIP DAWE

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3353 x 4500 px | 43.2 MB

28.4 x 38.1 cm | 11.2 x 15.0 in (300 dpi)