Boys still commonly wore hats in the 1890s, although caps were increasing in popularity. We continue to see rounded crown hats in rural areas the 1890s, but this was the last decade that thee hats were a major style for boys. Younger boys might wear broad-brimmed sailor hats. This was a popular style worn with both Fauntleroy suits and the other outfits worn by younger boys. We see both rounded and flat top hats. Some of these hats were huge compared to the size of the boys. We also see boaters which was becoming a style worn by yoths and men as well. This was not the only headwear worn by younger boy, but it was one of the most popular. Girls also wore these hats. They also wore hats decorated with flowers, but these were only for girls and women. Older boys might wear styles popular with adult men such as derbies and hombergs. For both younger and older boys these hats hats had sovial class conotations. Working-class boys were more likely to wear caps and several styles were popular in the 1890s much more so than the 1880s. Hats were never again as popular as they were in the late-19th century. Caps became standard for boys in rhe 20th century and we begin to see more caps in the 1890s, including several styles. We believe that many boys who wore hats in these early portraits also had caps. They often look wll-to-do. They may have worn caps in more informl circumtnces. Less affluent children might just have caps. This is a little difficult to detemine with any certainty. Headwear in general declined in popularity during the next century, but not immeditely at the turn-of-the century.
Boys still commonly wore hats in the 1890s, although caps were increasing in popularity. Many of the studio portraits we see have the children with their headwer. Commonly they are holding their headwer rather than wearing it. We assume moyhers wanted the children's hair styles to show, but also wanted the hats shown in the portrait. Hats were never again as popular as they were in the late-19th century. Headwear in general declined in popularity during the next century, but not immeditely at the turn-of-the century. Unfortunately as the family snapshot was not yet common, what we primarily have to go on is formal studio portraits.
We notice a range of hat styles commonly worn by boys in the 1890s. Two of the most popular styles for boys were the wide brimmed sailor hat and the rounded crown hat with a modest brim.
We continue to see rounded crown hats in rural areas the 1890s. This was perhps the most common style for boy throughout the 19th century. We are not sure what the proper name for the hts were at the time. They are often called prson's hats today. This was the last decade that these hats were a major style for boys. Younger boys might wear broad-brimmed sailor hats. This was a popular style worn with both Fauntleroy suits and the other outfits worn by younger boys. It was essentially the rounded crown hat withan enlarged brim, although some of thee hats had flat crowns. We see both rounded and flat top hats. Some of these hats were huge compared to the size of the boys. We also see boaters which was becoming a style worn by youths and men as well. This was not the only headwear worn by younger boy, but it was one of the most popular. All of these styles varied greatly. Notice the boy's hate here. It rather looks like a hat in between a wide-brimmed sailor hat and a boater (figure 1). The boater of course originated as a sailor hat. So it is not lway possible to clerly categorizd the different styles.
Girls also wore these hats. They also wore hats decorated with flowers, but these were only for girls and women. Many styles werte gender specific for adult. Younger children might wear some of the same styles. But the girls and women commonly wore highly decorated hats. This was not he case for boys, even younger boys boys not yet breeched and wearing skirted gatments.
Yonger boys rther incongrouly wore the largest hats especially broad-brimmed sailor hats. The standard rounded crown hat with a medium brim was vwey common for school age (meaning primry school) boys. Older boys might wear styles popular with adult men such as derbies and hombergs.
For both younger and older boys these hats hats had social class conotations. Here cost was a factor, They tended to cost more than caps. Working-class boys were more likely to wear caps and several styles were popular in the 1890s much more so than the 1880s.
Caps became standard for boys in rhe 20th century and we begin to see more caps in the 1890s, including several styles. We believe that many boys who wore hats in these early portraits also had caps. They often look wll-to-do. They may have worn caps in more informl circumtnces. Less affluent children might just have caps. This is a little difficult to detemine with any certainty. Unfortunately as we mostly have studio portraits to go on, we do not have as much evience as we would like as to what boys wore in less formal circumstances, although we do have more than for earlier decades.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main U.S. hat 19th century chronology page]
[Return to the Main U.S. hat chronology page]
[Return to the Main U.S. country headwear page]
[Return to the Main U.S. 1890s garment page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossary]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]