In my lifetime it's always been a joke.
And most of those jokes were told by my father impersonating my grandfather.

So that takes care of the 20th century.

When did they start?

Moss Bros. means hired suits smelling of eggs for whatever formal functions (getting married, etc) people suddenly find themselves in.

... I suspect I'm being unfair... Is there more to the story?

t.

That is much more of a story than I'd expected.
Ignore my contribution here.

I used to look occasionally at Moss Bros. windows circa 1976, when I lived in London. Never looked in. My only real knowledge of them comes from reading Temple Fielding's legendary guides to European travel, which had their heyday from the 1950 through the 1970s. I believe he said that they could rent anything, including the robes Lords used to have to wear to a coronation. A bit of a joke, but patronized by everyone, high and low. I'll have to look up the book and recite something from the source.

Sigh. not in the 1959 edition I own. But I know the description was in the the mid 60s editions. May I post the description of Peal from 1959 in it's place?:" Shoes and Leather goods? Peal & Co. Ltd. (48 Wigmore St) is to leather goods what Dunhill is to pipes and Rolls-Royce is to limousines - in many expert opinions, the finest craftsmen in the world. During George Washington's first term as president, Samuel Peal founded the institution - and today you'll meet one of the great-great-grandsons on it venerable floors. Every type of footwear for both sexes and all occasions is fashioned by these masters - most of it is custom built, although a wide range of stock sizes and fittings in standard models is also available at lower prices to those with 'normal' feet. Made to order jobs, created specifically for you, start at $50; riding boots and trees are $115 up; casuals are 42 up, and slippers and pumps are $30 up. All of the ladie's bags, brief cases, wallets, suitcases and other superb accessories are handmade, too. No branches, but Brooks Bros. in New York carries the standard line, and the companies indafitagable Mr. Pigott makes an annual visit to nearly every state in the Union each year..."

Last edited by tom22 (2006-12-28 18:01:48)

Most likely scripts looking for a certain combination of keywords I would wager.