Figure 1.--This hand tinted tin-type shows two twin boys. They are unidentified. We are not sure when it was taken, but would guess the 1870s. Note the red stockings. Of course a tinted portraitvis not as reliable as a color portrait, but there were no actual color portraits in the 1870s. An we believe that taking the trouble to color the stockings red probably meant that the boys had red stockings--although the actual shade is questionable. Note that despite the blue/brown outfots, mother has chosen red stockings to match the red bows. Click on the image to see the bys a few years earlier.

There were also bright colors like red in the 19th century, although we are not sure how common they were. A major problem we have here is the black and white photography of the day which leave us unable to identify colors, except perhaps black and white. Red would have shown up as a dark color. We suspect that the red was a kind of muted shade, but we are not sure. I also recall from Little Lord Fauntleroy that Cedie had red stockings before moving to England. We think that some colors like red were worn in the late 19th century. We note in the beginning of Mrs. Burnett's book Little Lord Fauntleroy that Cedric wore red stockings. We note an shoe advertisement showung a girl wearing red stockings at about the same tine. We are not sure about the shade of red and how common such colors wore. The black and white photography of the day provide few insights here. A reader writes, "I was interested in your comments about red long stockings being noted as part of Cedric's wardrobe in Little Lord Fauntleroy (1885). Wd are not sure about the 20th century. As far as I know, red stockings were not much worn by boys in the United States during the 20th century, but we do note "Blizzard Worsted Wool Long Stockings" being offered in Eaton's 1940 catalog in Canada with "Cardinal" as one of the color options. This meant a darkish red, I believe. The other color options were "Dark Fawn" and "Heather Brown." These long stockings would haved been worn with short trousers or skirts and were obviously designed for exceptionally cold weather. The colors were designed to appeal to sport-loving children. These stockings appear on the same page that shows a boy playing football with long black ribbed stockings worn with short trousers."

The 19th Century

There were long stockings done in colors like red in the 19th century, although we are not sure about the shades of red or how common they were. Nor or we sure just when during the century red stockings first appeared. We see mostly white stickings in paintings suring the early-19th century. A major problem we have here is the black and white photography of the day which leave us unable to identify colors, except perhaps black and white. Photography is our primary source of information and photographs began to appear in the 1850s. Red would have shown up as a dark color. We do have some information showing that red stockings were worn in the 19th century. We have both literary references and tinted portraits.

The 20th Century

We are not sure about the 20th century. A reader writes, "I was interested in your comments about red long stockings being noted as part of Cedric's wardrobe in Little Lord Fauntleroy (1885). As far as I know, red stockings were not much worn by boys in the United States during the early-20th century. We see mostly black stockings and white stockings for younger boys. After World War I we see light brown shades like beige and tan. We do note "Blizzard Worsted Wool Long Stockings" being offered in Eaton's 1940 catalog in Canada with "Cardinal" as one of the color options. It is likely that Canadian fashions may have reflected American fashions in the northern tier of states. Cardinal meant a darkish red, I believe. The other color options were "Dark Fawn" and "Heather Brown." These long stockings would haved been worn with short trousers or skirts and were obviously designed for exceptionally cold weather. The colors were designed to appeal to sport-loving children. These stockings appear on the same page that shows a boy playing football with long black ribbed stockings worn with short trousers."

Created: 5:59 AM 5/20/2008
Last updated: 8:16 PM 6/8/2010