This past summer in England, we had The History Wardrobe come and give us two Jane Austen-related performance/prentations. The second of the two was called 'Undressing Mr. Darcy'. It was not what you might think, but rather a detailed and fascinating look at men's fashion in the Georigan era.

During the presentation we learned that flannel waistcoats, contrary to Marianne's supposition that they were for invalids, were often worn at that time for such masculine pursuits as boxing and hunting! So, quite the contrary of what Marianne thinks, it was actually quite a 'rugged' garment to wear and possibly indicative of more vigorous physical activity or outdoor activity rather than being "invariably connected with the aches, cramps, rheumatisms, and every species of ailment that can afflict the old and the feeble."