In the eighteenth century men’s fashions often displayed highly decorative features. Richly coloured and complex woven silks were a common choice for well-to-do men’s suits.

Coats and waistcoats were often embroidered with a profusion of floral and decorative motifs. The cloth was cut to the required shape and then sent out to a specialist embroiderer before being stitched together by the tailor.

The three-piece suit as we know it today evolved from the combination of coat, waistcoat and a pair of breeches. By the early nineteenth century the breeches had been abandoned for long trousers.

Felton Bequest, 1958

The suit, in its many manifestations, has remained a staple of menswear throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, repeatedly returning refreshed and renewed. As a modern prototype it adapts to endless variation and occasion, each decade altering in fit, fabrication and proportion from traditions established in earlier centuries.

Through the nineteenth century Britain had established strong traditions in tailoring, particularly along Savile Row in the West End of London.

In the 1960s Tommy Nutter reinvigorated these traditions of bespoke custom-fit men’s suiting, responding to youth-orientated fashion with adventurous suit-styling that playfully coordinated or mis-coordinated traditional tweeds into loud patterns and vibrant designs.

Gift of Roger Evans, 1998

Menswear is as much about rule breaking as conformity. For centuries men have resisted the dominant dress codes imposed on them.

The irreverent, confrontational clothing created by Vivienne Westwood and partner Malcolm McLaren in 1970s London is one of the most potent and aggressive examples of deliberate resistance through dress.

Anarchy bondage shirt was one of a series of iconic slogan shirts and t-shirts created by the duo. Typically worn with ripped and torn restrictive tartan bondage trousers, such clothes referenced rebellion and fetishism in equal measure and spawned an enduring anti-establishment trend relevant to young men long after McLaren and Westwood launched their assault on the fashion establishment.

Purchased, 2000

In Outfit, Stuart Membery urbanised the vogue for outdoor menswear by combining the look with a preppy-style cardigan, shirt and tie.

The faded red stone-washed canvas coat references the heavy oilskins worn by horsemen of the Victorian Alps. A trapper hat trimmed with fake fur, and blue suede shoes, adds to the eclecticism of the look.

Presented by Miss June McCallum, 1985

Sara Thorn and Bruce Slorach established their label in 1983 as a vehicle for exploring innovative textile ideas.

Screen-printing fabrics from a studio in inner city Melbourne, they developed a vibrant graphic style that comprised complex visual narratives and idiosyncratic imagery. Eclectic designs referenced everything from science-fiction to cartoons to art, technology and history.

Thorn and Slorach brought a streetwise sensibility to their designs, making edgy garments for contemporary urban and club environments. This canvas outfit is typical of their work, deliberately exhibitionist it can be seen as an attempt to extend the parameters of fashionable menswear.

Combining a distinctive screen print with the symbolic power of the kilt, Thorn and Slorach present a version of masculinity which transgresses convention.

Presented by the National Gallery Women's Association, 1995

This menswear outfit is from the Doilies and Pearls, Oysters and Shells collection of Sydney fashion house Romance Was Born.

Designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales are known for their flamboyant, one-off pieces that play on the juxtaposition of contrasting colour, embellishment and graphic prints. The duo are particularly inspired by the Australian environment and popular culture.

Much of their work incorporates traditional craft techniques such as knitting, embroidery and crochet and features a distinctive aesthetic which blends exuberant adornment with humour and an affectionate homage to the quirky side of Australian culture.

Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2009

Dave Graney wears leather trousers purchased in Sydney, leather waistcoat, tie, coat and cap, nylon shirt purchased in Paris 14 years ago, ripple sole shoes and white socks.

The ManStyle exhibition curators interviewed a range of men on topics related to fashion and style.

Their responses were often frank, considered, funny or surprising, as each reflected on what they wear and the influences, experiences and observations that have shaped their clothing choices.

Benny Castles wears a two-piece suit and waistcoat with an Art Deco printed cotton shirt – all designed by himself.

His accessories include patent Cutler & Gross glasses bought in Knightsbridge, London, an Akubra wool felt hat from City Hatter’s, Melbourne, Acne socks and Vanishing Elephant shoes.

Jeremy Valentine is co-owner of Shag vintage boutiques.

With a long history as a collector, wearer and retailer of vintage attire he has often found inspiration for his wardrobe in a diverse range of places, from old family photos, to comic strip and fashion subcultures. Regular favourites in Valentine’s wardrobe are 1940s tailored wool pants, sailor stripe T-shirts and contemporary accessories.

Tyron Shaw plays with Melbourne rockabilly band, The Rechords.

His style is a mix of 1940s-1960s vintage and Americana, evident by his slicked back hair and red Guayabera (Mexican wedding shirt), purchased in Los Angeles. Shaw also wears black flecked trousers with two-tone, black and white reproduction loafers.

Andrew Klarica is dressed in his typical work outfit of a black cotton grandpa top, a pair of Imperial denim jeans (36 inch leg) and a pair of second-hand Justin boots procured from the Op shop.

Mitchell Jones is a circus/sideshow performer with the Caravan of Dooom.

Mitchell likes his choices of dress and self-presentation to shock people. He regularly changes his hair colour and adapts clothing to his needs– a good pair of boots is essential in order to escape quickly if required!

Here he wears a customised black shirt, studded belt and pocket knife, red Ray bans, black jeans and Tasmanian fire fighter’s boots.