What the heck is Andrew Jackson wearing?

by jenkitty

So I saw the JFK portrait post, and then looked at the official presidential portraits. Andrew Jackson seems to be wearing a Dracula cape. Does anyone know why? Was this a fad or something at that time?

Thanks so much!

catalot

It's actually the inside of his overcoat collar. Think of it like a giant popped collar.

fantasticraig

Follow-up question: at some point presidents seem to have adopted a less aristocratic-looking "regular dude" style of dress, what caused that to happen?