The Smoking Jacket, according to the always trustful Wikipedia was introduced in the 17th century and around 1850 Gentlemen’s Magazine of London defined the smoking jacket as a “kind of short robe de chambre, of velvet, cashmere, plush, merino or printed flannel, lined with bright colours, ornamented with brandenbourgs, olives or large buttons. Fast forward to the 20th Century and you find stars such as Fred Astair, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin.  But most notable who still is identified today is Hugh Hefner. Penelope Byrde, in The Male Image: Men’s Fashion in England 1300-1970, traces this attire to […]