Hunting suit
Woolrich & Company was founded in 1830 in what would become Woolrich, Pennsylvania. It has produced woolen goods for over 175 years, including the heavy weight red and black plaid fabric, known by Woolrich as the "classic" hunting plaid, seen in this hunting ensemble worn by the sharp-dressing comedian Sid Caesar. Red has been used since the 19th century for hunting jackets, and plaid is also synonymous with outdoors wear. The wool field coat and pants have been produced by Woolrich for most of its years in business, and are executed with the warmth and comfort of the hunter in mind. Besides the inherent warmth of the wool and its ability to wick away moisture, both pieces are outfitted with special details, like the "storm flap" which covers the button closure on the coat and protects the wearer from the elements seeping in between the holes, as well as the neck tab which keeps the collar up to warm the neck and face. The double seat and knees of the pants provides the extra support required for the sport, and the knit bands at the hem are a custom touch, allowing for boots to be comfortably worn over the pants. The coordinating plaid coat and pants, coined the "Pennsylvania tuxedo" by Woolrich, while being completely functional, is also rather fashionable.
Artwork Details
- Title: Hunting suit
- Manufacturer: Woolrich Woolen Mills (American, founded 1830)
- Date: ca. 1960
- Culture: American
- Medium: wool, leather, metal, cotton, silk
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Sid Caesar, 1967
- Object Number: 2009.300.908a–f
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Woolrich Woolen Mills
1960–72
F. Scholte
H. Harris
1938–65
Thom Browne
spring/summer 2018
Multiple artists/makers
late 1960s
American
1940s
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.