Ornamental braid or cording that can function as a garment closure, or be solely decorative.

The Details

Kathryn Hennessy and Anna Fischel, authors of Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style (2012), describe frogging as being “a coat closure comprising decorative braid and a spindle-shaped ‘frog button’ that passes through a look in the braid” (444). Frogging is most commonly associated with military uniforms. Photographed in 1895, Winston Churchill, who would later serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, can be seen wearing a frogged military jacket (Fig. 1). At the time of this portrait, Churchill had been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Hussars on February 20th, 1895. The National Army Museum in London showcases a wide range of military attire that includes frogging—from the most utilitarian, to the highly ornate, as seen in Colonel Francis Strange’s 1869 portrait (Fig. 2).

As Wikipedia further explains:

“Frogs and frogging became an important decorative feature on military uniforms from the 17th–19th centuries. This was particularly evident for prestigious regiments, especially cavalry or hussars, and gave rise to the German term for frogging in general, ‘Husarentressen’. These dolman jackets were tight-fitting and dominated by extensive frogging, often in luxurious materials such as gold, silver or brass metallic cording or brocades.

The frogging was usually far more than was necessary for fastening. In some cases it even became non-functional, with a concealed opening beneath it and the original jacket opening becoming a false detail. By the later 19th century, for lower grade uniforms down to postmen, telegraph boys and hotel pages, the frogging cordage would be retained as a decoration but there would be no corresponding toggle or opening with it.”

Second Lieutenant Winston S Churchill, 4th Queen's Own Hussars

Fig. 1 - Gale and Polden (Aldershot, 1890-1960). Second Lieutenant Winston S Churchill, 4th Queen's Own Hussars, 1895. Photograph. London: National Army Museum, NAM. 1992-10-143-1547. Source: National Army Museum

Colonel Francis Strange, Royal Horse Artillery

Fig. 2 - Artist unknown. Colonel Francis Strange, Royal Horse Artillery, 1869. Oil on canvas. London: National Army Museum, NAM. 1968-10-33-1. Source: National Army Museum

Short-frogged jacket worn by Captain John Grant Malcolmson, VC, 3 Bombay Light Cavalry

Fig. 3 - Maker unknown. Short-frogged jacket worn by Captain John Grant Malcolmson, VC, 3 Bombay Light Cavalry, 1860. London: National Army Museum, NAM. 2017-10-6-1. Source: National Army Museum

Gala dress of the wife of Lord Chief Justice György Majláth

Fig. 4 - Joshua Greene. Gala dress of the wife of Lord Chief Justice György Majláth, 1867-96. Photograph. Budapest: Hungarian National Museum. Source: Hungarian National Museum

The Dictionary of Fashion History (2010) defines frogging as:

“Frog, frogging: an ornamental loop-fastening for a coat, used with a frog-button, associated with Brandenbourgs; Frog-button, olivette: a spindle-shaped braided button to pass through frog fastenings.”

Over time, frogging become more and more decorative, rather than practical, as is evident in the 1860 jacket worn by Captain John Grant Malcolmson (Fig. 3). Due to its close association with military uniforms, frogging can be seen on many ceremonial garments. For both men and women, frogging became prominent on garments worn by notable royal, government and religious figures, as seen in the gala dress of the wife of Lord Chief Justice György Majláth (Fig. 4). 

Its Afterlife

Frogging can be seen across many cultures – referencing a person’s class, status, and even occupation. Due to its longevity and cultural relevancy, frogging is still referenced today within the mass and luxury markets, as seen in Valentino’s Fall 2015 Couture collection (Fig. 5). Olivier Rousteing, who was appointed creative director of Balmain in 2011, referenced frogged-military jackets for the brand’s Fall 2016 Menswear collection (Fig. 6).

Valentino | Fall 2015 Couture (Details)

Fig. 5 - Valentino (Italian). Valentino | Fall 2015 Couture (Details), Fall 2015 Couture. Source: Vogue

Balmain | Fall 2016 Menswear

Fig. 6 - Balmain (French). Balmain | Fall 2016 Menswear, Fall 2016. Source: Vogue

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