Figure 1.--This boy is off to school in the 1900s. He wears a dark button-on outfit. As was common in rural ares and small towns he is ging toschool barefoot. |
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The idea of wearing school uniforms never became accepted in America, at least in the public schools. In this regard, it was not unlike England. English state primary schools did not require uniforms. Most private schools, both public schools and prep schools did require uniforms. In this regard, many of the exclusive private schools in America following the British system, also adopted school uniforms, but this was a relatively small number of exclusive schools. Parochial schools did not require uniforms. Younger boys wore quite a variety of outfit, even fancy suits like Little Lord Fauntleroy suits. Boys also wear sailor suits, but mostly city boys. Most boys in cities came to school in suits. In rural areas schoolwear was more varied. A lot of boys wore blouses and knee pants.
Almost all American bys wore kneepants to school, although knickers were becoming popular by the end of the decade. Bib-overalls were commonly worn by workers abd we think farmers. We do not see boys in rural areas wearing them to school until the end of the decade and almost etirely in rural areas. We do not know why this development ocurred so suddenly. Boys in the cities mostly wore high-top shoes. In rural areas many bous in warm weaher came to school barefoot. America made a major demographic shift in the 1900s. Slightlu over half of the population lived in urban areas. Still the rural population was very substantial.
The idea of wearing school uniforms never became accepted in America, at least in the public schools. In this regard, it was not unlike England. English state primary schools did not require uniforms. Most private schools, both public schools and prep schools did require uniforms. In this regard, many of the exclusive private schools in America following the British system, also adopted school uniforms, but this was a relatively small number of exclusive schools. Parochial schools did not require uniforms.
Younger boys just beginning school wore quite a variety of outfit, even fancy suits like Little Lord Fauntleroy suits. This stle was goingbout of fashion in the 1900s, but we still see some in the early 1900s. We see younger boys wearing button-on outfits. Blouses with large collars were also common.
Boys also wore sailor suits in the 1900s, but mostly city boys.
Most boys in cities came to school in suits. Norfolk suits with knickers were very common.
In rural areas schoolwear was more varied. A lot of boys wore blouses and knee pants.
Almost all American boys wore kneepants to school, although knickers were becoming popular by the end of the decade. Boys not wearing blouses or button-on clothes, commonly wore suspenders to lhold up their pants.
Bib-overalls were commonly worn by workers abd we think farmers. We do not see boys in rural areas wearing them to school until theend of the decade and almost etirely in rural areas. We do not know why this development ocurred so suddenly.
Many children, both boys and girls, wore long stockings. Black long stockings were especially common.
Boys in the cities mostly wore high-top shoes. In rural areas many bous in warm weaher came to school barefoot.
America made a major demographic shift in the 1900s. Slightly over half of the population lived in urban areas. Still the rural population was very substantial.
We also have information on individual schools during the 1900s which provide more information on school wear trends duting the decade. This section is especially useful in establishing chronological trends because many of the images are dated.
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