Little Lord Fauntleroy Suits: Classic Period Colors--Shades


Figure 1.--This undated portrait shows an Ameeican boy wearing a brown Fauntlerouy suit. The drawing of the suit and blouse is very accurate. The portrait looks rather modern, especially the boy's hair style which look like the 1970s. One reader writes, "I'd guess that was a modern image from a costume guide or childrens history book. (It was actually a framed print signed by Joanne Thompson.)

Fauntleroy suits were made in many colors and materials and with a variety of features and embelishments. The classic Fauntleroy suit was black or dark blue. Later other dark colors appeared like burgandy or forrest green. We know suits were made in these colors because many wealthy families had portraits painted. Brown seems an especially popular choice, although we are still assessing the relative popularity of the differing colors and shades. Also fashion magazines during the period noted these colors, notably the velvet suits were usually dark colors. Many catalogs provide details as to the colors and materials in which these suits were made. We do not yet know if these different colors varied over time or among countries.

Shades

While black was clearly the most common color, we note several colorted suits also being worn. We are still assessing the relative popularity of the differing colors and shades.

Black

The classic Fauntleroy suit was black or dark blue. We know suits were made in these colors because many wealthy families had portraits painted.

Blue

We believe that the vlue suits were primarily earher dark shades.

Brown

Brown seems an especially popular choice. Brwn apperars to have been worn in different shadesm, bith satl and medium shades.

Burgandy

We believe that the first Little Lord Fauntleroy sduits were black and later other dark colors appeared like burgandy or forrest green. This time line, however, needs to be reserached more fully.

Green

We nbote some dark forrest green Faunrleroy suits.

Grey


White

We have not note boys wearing white Little Lord Faintleroy suits, although after the turn of the 20th century various white outfits such as white tunic suits became popular.

Sources of Information

The black and white photography of the day ofered few clues as to color. Some photiographs were coliorized. We beliecve that the correct colors were isually ised in these colorzations, although we cannot be positive. We know suits were made in these colors because many wealthy families had portraits painted. Also fashion magazines during the period noted these colors, notably the velvet suits were usually dark colors. Many catalogs provide details as to the colors and materials in which these suits were made.

Chronological Trends

We do not yet know if these different colors varied over time.

Country Trends

We do not yet know if these different colors varied among countries.








Christopher Wagner






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Created: September 30, 2002
Last updated: September 30, 2002