Waiter wearing beret and Oxford bags, 1926

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Waiter wearing beret and Oxford bags, 1926

Will it ever come to this? The President of the National Federation of Merchant Taylors is responsible for this awful suggestion. He declares that Oxford bags and berets might solve the problem of how to dress waiters! (Clearly, The Spheres writer is outraged.) Date: 1926

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Media ID 23050962

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Attire Bags Beret Berets Craze Feb18 Mens Outfit Oxford Trousers Unusual Waiter Waiters 1926

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> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Fashion

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EDITORS COMMENTS
In an unexpected turn of events, the President of the National Federation of Merchant Taylors proposed a most unusual solution to the question of waiter attire in 1926: Oxford bags and berets. The suggestion, met with outrage from the fashion community, was a stark departure from the traditional uniform of waiters donning black trousers, waistcoats, and white shirts. The idea, which seemed to have originated from the French café culture, was quickly dismissed as a passing fad rather than a viable option for the British hospitality industry. This photograph captures the image of a waiter, dressed in the proposed attire, with a quizzical expression on his face as he carries a tray laden with dishes. The beret, a headpiece typically associated with bohemian artists and intellectuals, and the Oxford bag, a leather satchel with a distinctive shape, were not considered suitable for the serious and professional role of a waiter. The proposal sparked a lively debate in the press, with some commentators expressing amusement at the idea, while others were more scathing in their criticism. Ultimately, the Oxford bag and beret craze for waiters was short-lived, and the traditional uniform continued to be the standard for the industry.

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