The beginning of the Edwardian era in the early 20th
century brought a steady decline in the wearing of frock
coats as the morning coat rose in relative formality, first
becoming acceptable for businessmen, then becoming
standard dress even in town.
The lounge suit was slowly accepted as being correct
outside its original settings, and during Edwardian times
gradually began to be seen in town. While still reserved
for private gatherings, usually with no ladies, black tie
became more common