Figure 1.-- A vintage clothing dealer believes that this is a little boy's dress from the 1880s. It is a cotton dress done in ecru. It is made of a stiff cotton type material. It reminds me of feedsack material. The back of the dress is plain but the front of the skirt is pleated with a sash over it.

Both girls and little boys wore dresses in the 19th century. Here we have archived a range of vintage dresses. The problem with dresses is that unless the name of the child that wore that is known, it is difficult to tell if it was for a boy or girl. This is a problem we continually face when assessing unidentified 19th century photographs. We are collecting here dresses that we believe were worn by boys. A Vintage clothing dealer tells us that a red Victorian child's dress (girl or boy) was found with other clothing that dates back to 1870- 1880. We also note a white dress worn by American boy James Cromwell in 1879. We also notice a sailor dress which a dealer is convinced was a 1890s boy dress, but we are not positice about this.

White Dress (1860s)

We believe this white pique dress comes from the 1860s. A dealer tells us, "I was told by a well known fashion historian that this was a little boy's dress from the Civil War. It is made of white pique. The edges of the collar and skirt are scalloped and embroidered with a floral design and raised dots. There is a gathered waistband and short puffy sleeves. It fastens with hooks and eyes in back. Measurements taken while lying flat: 14 1/2 across chest, length is 29 inches."

Red Victorian Child's Dress (1870s)

Both girls and little boys wire dresses in the 19th century. Here we have archived a range of vintage dresses. The problem with dresses is that unless the name of the child that wore that is known, it is difficult to tell if it was for a boy or girl. This is a problem we continually face when assessing unidentified 19th century photographs. A Vintage clothing dealer tells us that a red Victorian child's dress (girl or boy) was found with other clothing that dates back to 1870- 1880.

White Dress (1879)

The Mint Museum of Art In North Carolina displayed is a young boy's dress with a rosette "bustle" purchased in 1879 in Chicago for 4-year old James Cromwell. Such garments were worn over flounced petticoats with lace-trimmed or plain pantaletts beneath. As far as we can tell, this dress is not diffrent than a dress that might have been worn by James' sister. Unfortunately we have no more information about James and his family.

Little Boys' Dress (1880s)

A vintage clothing dealer believes that this is a little boy's dress from the 1880s. It is a cotton dress done in ecru. It is made of a stiff cotton type material. It reminds me of feedsack material. The back of the dress is plain but the front of the skirt is pleated with a sash over it. Big cuffs on the sleeves. The armsyces are emphasized with piping. Buttons up the front. The sash/waisband looks similar to that of tunics popular at the turn of the 20th century. Notice that it is a front buttoning dress.

Sailor Dress (1890s)

We also notice a sailor dress which a dealer is convinced was a 1890s boy dress, but we are not positice about this. We are not sure that this was a specifically boy dress or are we positive about the dating. We notice a lot of portraits of boys in the 1890s wersaring kilt suits, but we note far fewer wearing sailor dresses. This outfit is rather plain which does suggest a nboy might haver worn it. Girls in the 1890s tended to wear fancier dresses. The dealer writes, "Little boy's wool plaid 2 pc pleated skirt and sailor type jacket. Fabric is a blue and brown background with a mustard & cranberry plaid. Inside front of jacket is lined in red wool. Silk bow decorates the neck of jacket.

Created: 10:03 PM 2/6/2005
Last updated: 2:37 AM 5/29/2005