"... The seventeenth century was particularly fascinating because the great rift between Royalist and Parliamentarian, which culminated in the Civil War and the execution of Charles I, was clearly reflected in costume. The rich formality of Elizabethan dress which was still worn during James I's reign gave way to the new French influence we call "Cavalier". This softer, looser and more elegant mode was in sharp contrast to the severity of Puritan dress -- a contrast not only of taste but also of ideology. The restoration of Charles II in 1660 brought with it yet another turn of the fashion wheel and a rage for French frippery and finery but also, ironically, the beginnings of the sedate three piece suit ..." -- Inside front cover.