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Little American boys still wore dresses inthe 1880s, but kilt suits became increasingly popular. The major development in the 1880s was the appearance of Little Lord Fauntleroy suits and Fauntleroy styling at mid-decade. Fancy velvet suits for boys appeared before the publication of the story in 1885, but the popularity exploded after the story appeared in print and on the stage. The result was a fashion arms race for little boys with mothers competed with how many ruffels and bows could he heaped their sons. Lace and huge ruffeled collars and bows increased greatly in size, virtually engulfing younger boys. Other styles such as Eton collars for older boys and sailor suits grew in popularity. We see more boys wearing knee pants which were still cut well below the knee, but began to approach the knee by the ebnd ofthe decade. American boys almost always wore knee pants with long stockings. It was consider inmodest for boys above the toddker stage to wear socks. Of course boys in rural arras often went barefoot. Older boys wore long pants. Long pants were also more common in rural areas.
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