Neckcloth, stock

A man's high made-up neckcloth or collar stock of black satin lined with natural linen and buckled behind. The deep collar is stiffened with whalebone along the lower edge and fastens at the back with a brown fabric strip and a black metal buckle with three teeth. The lining has a faded maker's stamp from which can be deciphered 'Welsh & Margetson/London/Patent Foundation/Hand Stitched' in a copperplate script.

Surviving ready-made menswear from this period is rare. Young, dandy 'gents' or 'swells' patronised the ready-made retailers. Although they might seem to be imitating gentlemen of quality, their singular style and laddish behaviour were more self-consciously alternative, and marked them out as a subcultural group. Albert Smith dissected their habits and appearance in 'The Natural History of the Gent' in 1847.