Photograph of unidentified sitter by Horne & Thornthwaite, about 1850. Museum no. PH.151-1982

Sitter
Horne & Thornthwaite (photographers)
About 1850
London
Museum no. PH.151-1982

This photograph, of an unidentified male sitter, shows men's dress typical of the 1850s. The sitter is wearing a high upstanding collar with a high single breasted waistcoat cut straight across the waist.  His dark necktie is tied around the collar with a small bow at the front. 

He wears a newly fashionable sack coat, a slightly looser fitting coat than the more tailored frock coat.  The sack coat would become increasingly popular over the following decades, worn most often for leisure activities or informal occasions.