Figure 1.--Canadian boys like boys in America and Europe wore dresses when they were young during the 19th and early 20th century. We have few specific details on this convention in Canada, but believe it was little different than the practice in America and Britain. This unidentified boy was photographed in Montreal which means he may have been French Canadian.The portrait is undated, but we would guess was probably taken in the 1880s. I'm not sure what the boy is holding in his hand.

Canadian boys like boys in America and Europe wore dressed when they were young during the 19th and early 20th century. We have few specific details on this convention in Canada. It was, however, a very common convention throughout Europe in the 19th century as well as the United States. We suspect that the conventions as well as the styles in Canada were little different than the practice in America and Britain. As far as we know the chronology, styles, and ages as well as social class conventions were comparable. We do not know if there were any differences among the French community. The image here shows a Montreal boy, probably in the 1880s. We note another impage of a Toronto child, but we are not sure if the child is a boy or girl. Our archive is still very limitec, but we hope to develop the topic as our archive expands.

Chronology

Canadian boys like boys in America and Europe wore dressed when they were young during the 19th and early 20th century.

Conventions

We have few specific details on this convention in Canada. We suspect the age conventions were the same as in America and Britain. It was, however, a very common convention throughout Europe in the 19th century as well as the United States. We suspect that the conventions in Canada were little different than the practice in America and Britain.

Styles

We notice many different dress styles. Eome were very plain while others more complicted.

Social Class

As far as we know the social class conventions were comparable.

Accompanying Clothes

The accompanying clothing worn with dresses are more linited than with many other garments. Here you are primarily the headwear and the hosiery and foort wear. Boys wore a wide rnge of headwear with dresses. Wide-brimmed hats was one style we have noted. Most portraits do not include the headwear so out information here is till limited. Most of the images we have found show long stockings for hosiery and high-top shoes for footwear.

Hair Styles

Boys wore dresses both before and after their curls were cut. The conventions here varied from family to family.

English and French Communities

We do not know if there were any differences among the French community. The image here shows a Montreal boy, probably in the 1880s. We note another impage of a Toronto child, but we are not sure if the child is a boy or girl.

Created: April 30, 2003
Last updated: 10:58 PM 10/25/2007