knee-buckles

The American Revolution was since I think in visuals a blurred and static image of lofty, Zeus-browed men dressed in white wigs and satin with knee-buckles, shooting documents like the Declaration and the Constitution straight from their foreheads into textbooks, to be memorized and tested on.

BOOK VIEW CAFE BLOG » Kids and a Sense of History 2010

First in place, though perhaps second to the Doctor in real authority, was Mr. Winterblossom; a civil sort of person, who was nicely precise in his address, wore his hair cued, and dressed with powder, had knee-buckles set with Bristol stones, and a seal-ring as large as Sir John

Saint Ronan's Well 2008

For though Sir George is a respectable man, and as high-minded and moral an old gentleman as ever wore knee-buckles, he does not neglect the little arts of popularity, and can condescend to receive very queer company if need be.

Mens Wives 2006

The dress of the original settlers is handed down inviolate, from father to son: the identical broad-brimmed hat, broad-skirted coat, and broad-bottomed breeches, continue from generation to generation; and several gigantic knee-buckles of massy silver are still in wear, that made gallant display in the days of the patriarchs of Communipaw.

Washington Irving 2004

She was the daughter of a clergyman, one of the old school, the last whose breeches and knee-buckles adorned the profession, who never

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 08, No. 46, August, 1861 Various

In response to the bell, Billy soon made his appearance -- an elderly negro of most respectable appearance, dressed in a blue cloth coat with large brass buttons, a red plush waistcoat with flaps nearly reaching his knees, and a pair of yellow breeches with plated knee-buckles and coarse blue worsted stockings.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 17, No. 099, March, 1876 Various

Is it from some high-coiffured beauty in the south wing with a message that must go post-haste -- a missive sanded, scented, and sealed by a trembling hand and to be opened by one no steadier? or is it perhaps from some bewigged councillor with knee-buckles glinting in the firelight as he waits for the subtle heart-warming of an apple toddy?

Virginia: the Old Dominion Cortelle Hutchins

They appear but as the fashions of past days, -- mere courtliness, knee-buckles and small-clothes, out of date.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 72, October, 1863 Various

At the bottom of the alley he stopped, and, turning, looked up the vista of box ending in the brilliantly-lighted rooms, where gentlemen, with powdered heads, lace ruffles, and glittering knee-buckles, were handing ladies in stiff brocades, whose towering heads were shaded by ostrich-feathers and sparkling with gems.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 20, June, 1859 Various

Many of the familiar drinks of to-day were unknown to them, but their hard cider, mint julep, metheglin, hot toddy, and lemonade in which the lemon was not at all prominent, sometimes made lively work for the broad-brimmed hats and silver knee-buckles.

Modern Eloquence: Vol III, After-Dinner Speeches P-Z Various