[RKDinOKC]

Dress up and manners rules were part of the French Courts. You know, with the powdered wigs, ruffles and all. It was done so countries would not offend each other. Everyone followed the same rules.

In victorian times the rules for clothing were relaxed some to be more comfortable. That is the basic 3 piece suit of today.
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I very rarely attend social events formal enough to require more than a sport coat.