Figure 1.--We believe this portrait was taken in the 1880s, but it was undated. Notice the slicked down perfectly combed hair. We do note the portrait was taken in St. Louis.

Throughout the 19th century, mothers commonly delayed cutting thr hair of their younger children. Francis Hogdson Burnett published Little Lord Fauntleroy in 1885. References to the heros curls and perhaps more importantly the illustrations accompanying the book crate a sensation in America and Europe. Ringlet curls for younger boys became fashionable in the 1880s-90s, but only a minority of boys wore them. They were most common for boys from affluent families. Styling boys hair in long curls increases greatly in popularity, including that of some older boys. While Little Lord Fauntleroy was not pictured in ringlet curls, that style becomes especially popular in American and becomes associated with Little Lord Fauntleroy fashions. Only a minority of boys wore Fauntleroy curls, but it became much more common than before Mrs. Burnett wrote her book. Boys after their curls were cut tended to wear short hair. Bangs were popular for younger boys and latter styles with prominent poarts. We notice some boys slicking their hair down.

Created: 4:31 AM 6/28/2004
Last updated: 4:30 AM 6/28/2004