Smoking Hot Since the 1850s
Want to be the most interesting person in the room? Our men's smoking jackets have been turning heads and starting conversations since before it was cool (just ask Oscar Wilde).
These velvet smoking jackets are your ticket to becoming the life of every party, whether you're playing host at a murder mystery dinner or making a dramatic entrance at a vintage cocktail soiree. Add a matching smoking cap for extra panache, throw on a rakishly tied ascot, and you're ready to hold court with all the swagger of Sherlock Holmes in his study.
Perfect for everything from Gatsby gatherings to cigar club evenings, or simply lounging about looking fabulous. Available in multiple colors, each piece is crafted for quality, durability and style.
Browse our full collection, and please contact us with any questions!
What is the point of a smoking jacket?
The smoking jacket was originally designed in the 19th century to protect gentlemen's clothing from falling cigar ash and absorb tobacco smoke odors. It provided comfortable attire for men to wear while enjoying tobacco in private spaces, preventing their formal clothing from being damaged or permeated with smoke smells.
Do people still wear smoking jackets?
Yes, smoking jackets are still worn today, though primarily as luxury loungewear or statement pieces for formal evening events rather than for their original purpose. They've experienced a modest revival through vintage fashion enthusiasts, luxury brands offering modern interpretations, and as refined hosting attire for special occasions.
When should you wear a smoking jacket?
Traditionally, smoking jackets were worn during evening leisure time in one's home, particularly when entertaining guests or retiring to the study. Today, they're appropriate for formal home entertaining, cocktail parties, special dinners, and certain black-tie events where creative formal wear is acceptable.
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What is the purpose of a smoking cap?
Smoking caps (also called lounging caps) were designed in the Victorian era to protect gentlemen's hair from cigar smoke odors and ash while relaxing at home. They also provided warmth in drafty Victorian houses during evening leisure time and completed the gentleman's at-home attire when paired with a smoking jacket.
What are other names for smoking caps?
Smoking caps were also known as lounging caps, tuque caps, tassel caps, or "fez" style house caps. In Victorian literature, they might be referred to as "Turkish caps" or "Oriental caps" due to their Middle Eastern design inspiration, while in aristocratic circles they were sometimes called "scholar's caps" when worn during reading or study time.
Where did smoking caps come from?
Smoking caps originated from Middle Eastern and Turkish headwear designs, particularly the fez, which became fashionable in Europe during the 19th century as part of the Orientalist trend. Victorian gentlemen adopted and modified these exotic designs after the Crimean War (1853-1856), incorporating embroidery, tassels, and luxurious materials to create a distinctly Western version for at-home leisure wear.
What is the difference between a smoking jacket and a dinner jacket?
A smoking jacket is typically made of velvet or silk, features a shawl collar, and was designed for informal private wear, while a dinner jacket (tuxedo jacket) is made of wool or similar fabric, usually has peaked lapels or a shawl collar, and is intended for formal public evening events. Smoking jackets are often more colorful and ornamental than the standard black or white dinner jacket.
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What kind of pants do you wear with a smoking jacket?
The traditional pairing for a smoking jacket is formal black trousers, either in matching fabric or in contrasting material like wool. For a more authentic period look, formal trousers with a silk stripe down the leg are appropriate. Modern interpretations might include dark dress trousers or, for a more casual approach, well-tailored dark jeans.
Can you wear a smoking jacket outside?
Historically, smoking jackets were strictly indoor garments worn in private spaces. Today, while they remain primarily indoor attire, they can be worn outside for specific elegant evening events like gala dinners, sophisticated parties, or high-end social gatherings where their luxurious appearance makes a tasteful style statement.
Can you wear a smoking jacket in public?
While originally intended for private use, modern etiquette allows smoking jackets at certain public events where creative formal wear is appropriate, such as evening galas, theater openings, or holiday celebrations. The key is selecting occasions where elegant, slightly unconventional attire enhances rather than disrupts the event's formality.
What is the smoking jacket dress code?
The smoking jacket represents a specific form of elegant casual or creative black tie attire. When wearing one, it should be paired with formal trousers, a dress shirt (often with a formal collar), appropriate evening footwear, and either a bow tie or ascot. The overall look balances luxury with tasteful restraint.
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What shoes do you wear with a smoking jacket?
Traditional footwear options for smoking jackets include patent leather evening slippers, velvet slippers with embroidery (Albert slippers), well-polished oxford shoes, or formal loafers. The key is choosing elegant, refined footwear that complements the jacket's luxury while maintaining a cohesive formal appearance.
Why are smoking jackets made of velvet?
Velvet became the preferred material for smoking jackets because its dense pile effectively captured ash and smoke particles, protecting the wearer's clothing underneath. Additionally, velvet's luxurious appearance and texture aligned with the garment's status as a symbol of leisure and affluence, while providing warmth and comfort during evening relaxation.
When were smoking jackets popular?
Smoking jackets reached the height of their popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian eras (1837-1910), when formal social codes were strictly observed and smoking tobacco was a common gentleman's pastime. They remained fashionable among the upper classes through the 1950s before declining as casual attire became more acceptable and smoking habits changed.
Who invented the smoking jacket?
The smoking jacket evolved rather than being distinctly invented, developing from Middle Eastern-inspired robes and dressing gowns in the 17th century. By the 1850s, the garment had taken its recognizable form in England, with Edward VII (then Prince of Wales) often credited with popularizing the style as fashionable leisurewear for gentlemen.
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What to wear when smoking a cigar?
Traditional cigar smoking attire includes a smoking jacket or a less formal velvet or silk jacket, complemented by comfortable yet elegant trousers, a collared shirt, and appropriate evening footwear like loafers or slippers. For outdoor or social cigar smoking, more standard business or smart casual attire is perfectly acceptable.
Why did men wear smoking caps?
Smoking caps (also called lounging caps or tuque caps) were worn indoors alongside smoking jackets to protect the hair from absorbing smoke odors and to keep the head warm in drafty Victorian homes. These ornamental caps, often embroidered or tasseled, completed the gentleman's at-home evening ensemble and prevented cigar smoke from lingering in the hair.
Are smoking jackets fire resistant?
Traditional smoking jackets were not specifically designed to be fire-resistant in the modern sense, though the dense pile of velvet provided some natural protection against falling embers. Contemporary smoking jackets, while still primarily fashion items, may incorporate modern fabrics with better fire-resistant properties, though they are not considered safety garments.
