The morning coat, a pared-down frock coat, though still very fitted, set the trend for smaller coats.

ECONOMIST: Men's clothing

The frock coat full of wadding, cut close to pull the figure into shape, gradually gave way to a looser but still precise jacket.

ECONOMIST: Men's clothing

The suit's W-collar seems to have developed from turning down the stand-up collar of a frock coat, which in turn derived from army and naval wear.

ECONOMIST: Men's clothing

Drawn primarily from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, with some pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, signature designs including the bumster trouser, the kimono jacket, and the Origami frock coat will be on view.

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Just how special was not readily apparent to those who saw him, in his old Beethoven frock-coat or his shapeless orange cardigan.

ECONOMIST: Karlheinz Stockhausen

For her parade costume, Ms. Kule chose a bowler hat in a purple velvet that matches a velvet frock-like coat custom-made by New York designer Dara Lamb.

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