Have you spotted any of the costumes on display throughout the House yet? Pictured below is a gentleman’s Banyan and Waistcoat in the Library which belonged to Patrick Home – Paxton’s first owner.  The Banyan was an indoor coat worn by the 18th C. gentleman over his waistcoat and breeches to keep him warm when indoors. On returning home he would remove his thick heavy woollen tweed ‘outdoor’ coat and replace it with a lighter weight silk and cotton Banyan. These were influenced by colonial connections at the time and the popularity for fine silks and cotton fabric which had just become accessible (in the 18th Century). It’s our Chief Archivist – Marjorie Hume’s – favourite costume! Marjorie first came across the gentleman’s Banyan at an ‘Undressing Mr Darcy’ exhibition a few years ago. She says she can just picture Mr Darcy wearing this in his library at Pemberley and it brings a smile to her face!