Figure 1.--The brothers here are unidntified. We do know that they were phoyographed in Dayton, Ohio by Corbitt's. It was an AZO photo postcard. We would guess the portrait was taken in the 1910s. The boys look to be about 5-8 years old. Note that noth boys have similar if not identical bows, only knotted differently.

We notice American boys wearing several different types of neckwear. Neckwear was not always worn, but it was fairly common until the 1940s. We note many different styles. Some quite elaborate. The stock was worn for many years and was common in both America and Europe, but it was not a boys' style. It was worn by both boys and adults without differentiation. One of the most destinctive styles of neckwear worn by Ameican boys was the floppy bow. This was a style worn by adults at the turn of the 19th century. It was popular during the Regency in Britain where it was worn by Beau Brummel. I thibk it was less common in America. When the floppy bow reappeared beginning in the late 1870s, it seems to have been a style particular popular in America. They were also worn in Europe, but we seem to see many more examples in America, especially the large floppy bows. And floppy bow at this time were a distinctly juvenile style. They were worn with equally large collars of various descriptions. Neckties and bow ties becone common neckwear after the turn of the 20th century. Thes syles of neckway reverted to the mid-19th century convention of being for both adults and boys. We also note a variety of other styles like string ties and cross ties, sometimes called butterfly ties.

Stocks

The stock was worn for many years and was common in both America and Europe. It was widely worn in the nid-19th century. It was a very plain style, almost always black. The stock was not a boys' style. It was worn by both boys and adults without differentiation.

Floppy Boys

One of the most destinctive styles of neckwear worn by Ameican boys was the floppy bow. This was a style worn by adults at the turn of the 19th century. It was popular during the Regency in Britain where it was worn by Beau Brummel. I thibk it was less common in America. When the floppy bow reappeared beginning in the late 1870s, it seems to have been a style particular popular in America. They were also worn in Europe, but we seem to see many more examples in America, especially the large floppy bows. And floppy bow at this time were a distinctly juvenile style. They were worn with equally large collars of various descriptions. Wearing floppy bows with fancy blouses was an optional matters. Some mothers insiste on the bows while others did not. They were worn with more plainly styled bows like Eton collars, but this was less common.

Bowties

We are not entirely sure of the origins of the bowtie. Neckwear in general seems to have evolved from the cravat. The steps in that process are not clear. We note bpys wearing bowtie-like garments in the mid-19th century that seem to be associated with stocks. Large floppy bows were of course especially popular for American boys in the late-19th century. Just how thde bowtie is rekated to these forms of necklwear we are not sure. We notice bowties being worn in the early 20th century just as large floppy bows were going out of style. We are also not sure of the relationship between neckties and bow ties. They seem to have becone popular at about the same time. We do not know, however, if they evolved independently or id ome evolved out of the other. We beleve that the bow tie is an especially American fashion. Bow-ties for formal wear have been worn globaly. Bow-ties for day to day wear are much less common. I have seen foreigners wearing bow ties, but not nearly to the extent that American wore them. The bow-tie was not a uniquely boyish style. They were also worn by men. The bow-tie was, however, widely worn by American boys during the 1940s-60s. They were especially popular fir younger boys wearing Eton and other short pants suits. Regular ties were considered a bit too grown up looking for these boys.

Neckties

Neckties and bowties becone common neckwear after the turn of the 20th century. We see neckties before the turn of the century, but they did not become an important item for boys until afterwards. We note men wearing ties in the late 19th century, but they were large bulky ties. These were not commonly worn by boys. The ties that boys began wearing were more narow versions. Not all boys wore ties or other neckwear, even for formal occassions. We see boys both wearing and not wearing ties with Eton and other detachable collars. Gradually the tie became standard when dressing up. The syles of neckwear reverted to the mid-19th century convention of being for both adults and boys. As floppy bows disappeared we see more and more neckties. The early ties we see were mostly solid colors. Soon a range of patterns developed. Diagonal striped ties seem to have been particularly popular. We see stripes in both directions as well as hoeizontal stripes. Grafually very loud patterns appeared. We see solid-colored ties as well. We notice modern-looking neckties in the 1910s. A good example is an American boy, Robert Hubbard, with a diagonal striped tie in 1917. We see an unidentified New York boy wearing a horizontally striped tie in the 1910s. A good example from the 1940s is Arian Viring in 1941. Some necktieswere worn with Eton collars, but most were worn with soft collars.

Other Styles

We also note a variety of other styles like string ties and cross ties, sometimes called butterfly ties.

Created: 8:41 PM 6/18/2006
Last updated: 8:06 AM 5/7/2008