The 1626 plate below is the epitome of the French Gentleman during the time of King Louis XIII, when fashion was not only about self-expression but also served as a political tool. Gone were the stiff and formal styles of the previous era, and the character portrayed here wears a cavalier style dress. The gentleman wears a waisted doublet with slashed sleeves that expose the linen underneath it, which is an indication of wealth and ease of mannerism called "sprezzatura."His dress is complete with a falling lace collar, substituting the old-fashioned ruff, and wide-topped funnel boots indicating the readiness for a life on horseback and court intrigues. This illustration can be considered a visual evidence for the "Habit" of the French gentlemen, who dressed in silk, lace, and leather to define the European standards of men's elegance.
