Roundabout Jackets

[508preach]

What class of civilians would have been wearing Roundabout Jackets by the 1860s?

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Mr. Kirby:

My limited civilian understanding of Men's Fashion is that the "Roundabout" was a solely a military jacket.

Please note: this doesn't discount the use of a variety of "Short-Jackets/Coats" in Civilian Use as seen in images/painting.

Paul B.

[508preach]

Well there was the military roundabout which essentially didnt have a lapel it went straight up and had a standing collar around the neck.

The civilian roundabout was basically a swallow tail coat without the tail (I hope thats the right way to explain it) they were very popular in the early part of the 1800s (1820s-1840s?) and I was curious that by the 1860s who would still be wearing them (what class of people)

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

I've wondered about this image...the fellow sitting on the hydrant appears to be wearing a short jacket. Also interesting is the fellow at far left, wearing a dress coat buttoned over all the way to the top.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Lovely image! Yep, that would be a round-about jacket on the fellow on the hydrant. The "short jacket" or "round about" jacket declined in use as the sack coat went from being sportswear for the well-to-do to an affordable option for men of all economic situtations. It remained in use for boys much longer.

[David Fox]

By 1860s male minors would have been about the only wearers of this jacket, I swan. And seamen.