The Modern Monarchy and Clothes


Figure 1.--The British and German royals were dressed in sailor suits to help associate the monarchy with a popular royal institution. This helped create one of the most enduring boys' fashion. The popularity of the sailor suit among Europeans was so pervasuive that future royals not only in England and Germany, but in many other countries as well wore sailor suits.

HBRC believes that 19th century monarchies has a substantial impact on children's fashions. As time went on the royals not only set fashions, but were more and more influenced by contemporary fashion trends. That role has declined in the 20th century, but is probably not totally absent. In addition modern princes, even realtively young ones have their own ideas about fashions. Modern kings and queens can't dictate the clothes worn by their children as was once the case.

Strong Historical Influence

HBRC believes that 19th century monarchies has a substantial impact on children's fashions. As time went on the royals not only set fashions, but were more and more influenced by contemporary fashion trends.

Popular Fashion

As time went on the royals not only set fashions, but were more and more influenced by contemporary fashion trends. One HBRC reader comment, "I think that the fact that the younger scions of the various royal houses were dressed in sailor suits is mainly a reflection of prevailing juvenile fashions amongst the middle and upper classes. That even applies to the Tsarevitch: his grandmother was Danish and his mother English/German afer all. We have an enduring image of sailor-suited royals because cartes de visite were mass produced for contemporary collectors and the images have been reproduced many times since--in books and now on websites such as HBC. Once the general fashion for sailor suits had passed, royal dress followed the trend." Actually HBRC does not disagree. The point that HBC was trying t make was their was political cnnotations to the ways rotyals dressed their children. Now in some cases the clothes of te young royals influenced boys wear. But the rotyals also used popular fashion to send political tebnsins. The sailor suit fashion was largely established by Queen Victoria, but George V's decision to dress his children in sailor suits was in part his desire to portray his family as the perfect middle class English family and to connect the royal family with Britain's mostvpopular institution. Of course the fact that the princes wore sailor suit was also influential in perpetuating the style. One historical note. It was not just a few images that set an enduring image. George V belived that the sailor suit (and kilt) were the only suitable clothes for boys. His boys were virtually always dressed in either sailor suits or kilts.

Modern Influence

That role has declined in the 20th century, but is probably not totally absent. Th way Diana dressed William and Harry undoubtedly influence children's fashions. In much the same way that the clothes Mrs. Kennedy chose for a young John F. Kennedy affected American boys' fashions. The impact was anywhere as signifiucant as that of Queen Victoria in the 19th century, but it was not inconsrquential. This impact, however, was limited to their younger years. In addition modern princes, even realtively young ones have their own ideas about fashions. Modern kings and queens can't dictate the clothes worn by their children as was once the case. Royals that achieve super star fashion such as Prince William, may in factvhacve some impact on fashion, but it will be fashions he chooses rather than chosen for him. In fact this is not disimilar to Edward the VIII in te 1920s and eraly 30s when his clothes were quite influential.






Christopher Wagner









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Created: February 14, 2001
Last updated: February 14, 2001