Figure 1.--This American CDV portraitis undated, but we would guess was taken in the late 1860s or perhaps the early 70s. The boy was from Boston. Note the small white collar and small bow. We are not sure about the color of his bow, perhaps light blue.

We do not yet have much information on the 18th century. Much more information is available on the 19th century, especially by mid-century with the development of photography. Boys in the mid-19th century wore black stocks like their fathers. We do not note American boys wearing destinctive neckwear until after the Civil War. We note boys wearing floppy bows in the 1870s, but they were relatively small. This changed in the 1880s when we begin to see boys wearing increasingly large bows. Some boys seemed almost enveloped by their bows and large collars. The bows were made in a range of colors and patterns. The large collars of the day were worn both with and without these bows. Boys in the 1890s often wore large ruffled and somewhat older boys Eton collars. Some boys wore floppy bows with these collars, but others wore them without bows. Neckties appeared, but were worn by older boys. We also know a great deal about the 20th centuty. Floppy bows were still worn in the 1900s, but less commonly and in smaller sizes. Neckwear after World WarI by the 1920s began to become increasinglu standardized with neckties and bowties. We also see some less common types like string ties. Boys after the mid-20th century with increasingly casual dress styles, were much less likely to wear neckwear.

The 18th Century

We do not yet have much information on 18th century neckwear in the United States. We note neckcloths, cravats, stocks, solitaires, jabots, and macaronis. We are not entirely sure of the chronolgy yet. There were no destinctive boy neckwear styles. After nreech, boys wore essentially cut down versions of the outfits their fathers wore. This only began to change in the late-18th century when the skeketon suit appeared. This meant the dramatic appearance of long pants, but the neckwear seems to have been similar to adult styles. Of course this was for the well to do. Paintings provide some insights into neckwear. A good example is the Catherine Hoppner wearing an open frilly ruffled collar in 1791. In the era before the indistrial revolution had begin to change Europe, the affluent class was relatively limited. Fancy neckwear would have been worn by only a small minority.

The 19th Century

Much more information is available on the 19th century, especially by mid-century with the development of photography. Boys in the mid 19th century wore black stocks like their fathers. We also see bows. Some of the neckwear seems rather a blend between stocks and small bows. Neckwear seems less common in the 1859s when collars became verysmall. We do not note American boys wearing destinctive neckwear until after the Civil War. We note boys wearing floppy bows in the 1870s, but they were relatively small. We even see small bows in the early 1880s. A good example is Eddie Wilson in 1882. Large bows become standard by the mid-1880s. This changed in the 1880s when we begin to see boys wearing increasingly large bows. Some boys seemed almost enveloped by their bows and large collars. The bows were made in a range of colors and patterns. The large collars of the day were worn both with and without these bows. Boys in the 1890s often wore large ruffled and somewhat older boys Eton collars. Some boys wore floppy bows with these collars, but others wore them without bows. Neckties appeared, but were worn by older boys.

The 20th Century

We also know a great deal about neckwear in the 20th centuty. The photographic record provides a detailed history of neckwear trends. Floppy bows were still worn in the early 20th century, especially in the 1900s. A good example is 5-year old Harold Howes in 1903. We note younger boys wearing them, even some younger teenagers. We note by the later part of the decade that thy were less common and smaller sizes. We also note boys wearing neckties and bowties. Bowrties seemed very popular in the early 20th century. Floopy bows rapidly went out of style after the 1900s although we still see them into the 1920s on younger boy. Neckwear after World War I by the 1920s began to become increasinglu standardized with neckties and bowties. We also see some less note at mid-century some other types of neckwear like string ties and less some other less common styles. Boys after the mid-20th century with the increasing popularity of casual dress styles, were much less likely to wear neckwear of any kind. The necktie became standard in the second half of the 20th century. We also see bow ties, but mostly being worn by younger boys.

Created: 7:17 AM 5/4/2007
Last updated: 4:05 AM 5/9/2012