Subtext | Persian or English?

How did Charles II invent the modern three-piece suit?

If it weren't for Charles II's fascination for Persian garments and shoes, men would probably be wearing the modern avatar of this frilly nonsense for formal wear now. On the brighter side, men wouldn't need to worry about going about unzipped!

We know that Charles II invented the modern three-piece suit. But, how? Well, on October 7, 1666, King Charles II issued a decree that in his court there is no place for ‘French fashions’. Instead, the more "manly" Persian suit of clothes is worn.

The Persian ensemble of a long waistcoat worn with a knee-length coat and dress shirt was made of English wool, not French silk. The emphasis was on cloth and cut, not ruffles and accessories. Charles II was already wearing Persian high-heels from his days in exile at the French court of Louis XIV. 

This whole thing is wonderfully described and elaborated on in the @BBCRadio4  series ‘Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s Men of Fashion.