Reportedly made by the wives of his fellow Knights of Pythias lodge members, William L. MacVane’s (1876-1949) smoking jacket was made from collected cigar ribbons. Trimmed with black velvet, it includes the style’s hallmark rolled shawl collar and turned up cuffs.

Popularized in the 1850, the smoking jacket was worn while smoking tobacco to protect clothing and absorb orders. It soon tuned fashionable, with bold prints, velvet trimming and varied lengths. The style eventually transitioned into lounge wear, yet still worn over suit trousers and collared shirts.

Dr. William L. MacVane, Sr. from Casco Bay’s Long Island, was a dentist. A graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons’ Boston Dental School, now Tufts University, he practiced in Portland for more than half a century. He was a member of several organizations including the Knights of Pythias, Free Masons, and the Portland Yacht Club.