Figure 1.--These three brothers were photographed in Norval, Ontario. The portrait is undated, but we would guess sometime in the 1890s. The younger brother in the Fauntleroy suit looks to be about 5 years old.

We notice Canadia boys wearing Fauntleroy velvet suits in the late-19th century. This was a very popular style, both in North America and Europe. As far as we can tell the stles and chronology as well as the conventions involved were very similar to those in the United States, although our archive of Canadian images is still quite limited. We note the same styles and trim such as lace collars and floppy bows. Boys seem to have worn Fauntleroy suits from about 3-8 years of age, but wenote some oklder boys as well. The original inspiration for fancy suits for younger boys was France where Mrs. Burnett who was English and moved to America as a youth lived for a few years. The style began in the late 19th century with the publication of Mrs. Burnett's book and continued into the early 20th century. We are unsure if there were differences among the English and French community concerning the tyles and wearing of Fauntleroy suits. Many Fauntleroy suits were back velvet, but we notice other colors of velvet and other material as well. We note a burgandy Fauntleroy suit that a Canadian boy wore for a wedding in 1896.

Chronology

We notice Canadia boys wearing Fauntleroy velvet suits in the late-19th century. We first note the fancy velvet suits with lace and ruffled trim in the 1880s. We continue to see them into the 1900s. The chronology seems identical to that in America. <>br>

Influences

This was a very popular style, both in North America and Europe. As far as we can tell the stles and chronology as well as the conventions involved were very similar to those in the United States, although our archive of Canadian images is still quite limited.

Garments

The Fauntleoy suit consisted promarily of two garments, a jacket and trousers, usually knee pants. Younger bopys might wear kilt suits. Vests were not worn with Fauntleroy suits. Although not part of the suit itself, an important element of the Fauntleroy suit was a fabcy blouse. We note the same styles and trim such as lace collars and floppy bows that we see in America. We see the same small, cut-away velvet jacket and knee pants that form the classic American Fauntleroy suit. We mostly see Canadian boys wearing these jackets with knee pants as was common in America. We note many English boys wearing bloomer knickers rather than knee pants as part of Fauntleroy suits. This seems less common in Canada. The cut-away jackets were popular for Fauntleoy suits because they displued the fancy blouses commonly worn with Faunyleroy suits. There were other styles of Fauntlerou suits, but we do not yet have enough images to know how common they were in Canada.

Ages

Boys seem to have worn Fauntleroy suits from about 3-8 years of age, but we note some older boys as well.

Inspiration

The original inspiration for fancy suits for younger boys was France where Mrs. Burnett who was English and moved to America as a youth lived for a few years. The style began in the late 19th century with the publication of Mrs. Burnett's book and continued into the early 20th century.

English and French Communities

Canada is a bi-lingual country with both English and French speaking communities. We are unsure if there were differences among the English and French community concerning the tyles and wearing of Fauntleroy suits.

Colors

Many Fauntleroy suits were back velvet, but we notice other colors of velvet and other material as well.

Individuals

We note a burgandy Fauntleroy suit that a Canadian boy wore for a wedding in 1896.

Created: January 30, 2004
Last updated: 11:29 PM 8/6/2007