Tea Party Diva

Country life played an important role in socializing and social climbing in the Victorian era.

Dressing correctly was as important for men as for women. A country garden party was often associated with a sporting activity or event such as lawn tennis.

Wimbledon Tennis Party Painting By Edward Brewtnall

Source - Manners for Men - 1897
Should a garden party be in question, he may take his choice between tweed suit and
low hat or cutaway coat with silk hat.

If he happens to be great on tennis the tweed suit would be naturally his choice, unless it were distinctly understood that the game would form a prominent feature of the afternoon’s entertainment. In this case flannels would be worn.

Sometimes very ceremonious garden parties take place in the country, when Royalty or distinguished persons are expected to be present, when the frock coat and its usual accompaniements would not be out of place…

A man’s wardrobe is now almost as varied as a woman’s. He has different costumes for walking, riding, driving, visiting, boating, hunting, shooting, golfing, bicycling, tennis and cricket, dining, smoking and lounging, football, racing and yachting, to say nothing of uniform and Court suite, besides the now developing motor car costume.

Times Past