*** United States boys clothes: suits components vest chronology







United States Suit Vests: Chronology

American boys vest
Figure 1.--This boy was from Philidelphia. The ruby Ambrotype is not identified, but looks to have been taken in the late-1850s. The boy wears a V-front checked vest. Click on the image to see the full image including his sister.

Three-piece suits were common in the 19th century and even early 20th century. Normally vests in the mid-19th century contrasted with the vest. At the time it was also not common for jackets and trousers to match. We also see boys wearing vests without jackets. Later in the century it was more common for the vest to match the suit, especially after suits became matching jackets and trousers. We note boys wearing their vests without jackets less commonly. We know less about vests than the other suit components for the obvious reason that they were normally covered by the boys' coat and it became very common by the late 19th century to buton up jackets so the vests were not vissible, although you sometimes can tell there was a vest. Many suits in the late 19th century were three-piece suits meaning that a vest was included. This continued into the early 20s, but three-pieces suits with vests gradually become less common. Three-piece suits become much less common since World War II. We do begin seeing boys wearing vests rather than jackets as a kind of informal dress outfit.

The 19th Century

We note boys wearing vests with and without suit jackets in the mid-19th century. Three-piece suits were common in the 19th century. Normally vests in the mid-19th century contrasted with the vest. At the time it was also not common for jackets and trousers to match. We see an unidentified young teenager wearing a bold plaid vest in the 1840s. An exception was the frock coat suit. This was not a boys' style. We also see teenagers wearing somber frock coats with black vests matcing their coats. A good example is Clarence E. Summer, we believe in the 1840s, perhapos the 50s. We also see boys wearing vests without jackets. Later in the century it was more common for the vest to match the suit, especially after suits became matching jackets and trousers. An exmple is Frank Mortimer Hene in the 1870s. We note boys wearing their vests without jackets less commonly. We know less about vests than the other suit components for the obvious reason that they were normally covered by the boys' coat and it became very common by the late 19th century to buton up jackets so the vests were not vissible, although you sometimes can tell there was a vest. Many suits in the late 19th century were three-piece suits meaning that a vest was included.

The 20th Century

We continue to see boys wearing suits in the early-20th century. They were less common than in the 19th century. It is a little difficult to tell as in a number of boys in portaitss buttoned up their jackets, making it impossible to see the vest. This continued into the early-20s. They were more often worn with three-piece suits. They were vests with fronts made in the same muted pattern as the suit. Three-pieces suits with vests gradually become less common as did single-breasted jackets. Three-piece suits become much less common since World War II. We do begin seeing boys wearing vests rather than jackets as a kind of informal dress outfit. We see this quite commonly in the late-1960s and 70s. They were often bright colors or patterns. This was generally an outfit for younger boys. They were not made to be worn with suits. At the same time suits with vests become much less common for boys. We so so see very many vests in the late-20th century.

The 21st Century









HBC






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Created: 8:19 PM 11/22/2008
Last updated: 3:45 AM 9/23/2011