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The tuxedo is basically an adult garment. Tuxedos are rarely worn by boys. These formal 19th century costume for weddings are not commonly worn by men either. Except for the upper class, tuxedos are usually worn by most men only at their high school proms or at their wedding and only if formal weddings. apparently they were more common at the turn of the century, they were more common than today. We note a dinner jacket advertised in a Canadian catalog in 1902. Normally boys only wear tuxedos if attending a formal wedding. And even at these wedding if he is the ring bearer or in the grome's party. There are today very limited other opportunities for a boy to wear a tuxedo. Even in formal weddings there are other options for boys. In Scotland he might wear a kilt outfit. In America, Eton suits, commonly worn with short pants, are probably the most common choice for boy's formal wear. Many boys, even quite young boys, however, now insist on dressing like the adults. Thus it has become increasingly common to dress them just like the groomsmen in small tuxedos. Boys tuxedos, unlike Eton suits, are mostly worn with long pants. The boys prefer this so that they look just like the other attedants. There are, however, also tuxedos done in short pants. One company indicates that boy's tuxedo shorts are the perfect look for wedding ring bearers. One wedding expert writes, "Styled and proportioned for the young man, these formal short pants give a delightful accent to his tuxedo outfit."
Apparently they were more common at the turn of the century, they were more common than today. We have not found many images of boys wearing tuxedos. The earliest we have found date to the late 19th century. They clearly were not commonly worn at any time.
We note a dinner jacket advertised in a Canadian catalog in 1902.
In Scotland he might wear a kilt outfit. We mote an American boy, Arthur J. Miller, wearing a tixedo about 1870.
Normally boys mostly wore tuxedos if attending a formal wedding. There may have been a few exceptions, such as dressing up for a magic act. The principal occassion, however, seem to be formal events. And even at these wedding if he is the ring bearer or in the grome's party. There are today very limited other opportunities for a boy to wear a tuxedo. Even in formal weddings there are other options for boys. In America, Eton suits, commonly worn with short pants, are probably the most common choice for boy's formal wear. Many boys at weddings, even quite young boys, however, now insist on dressing like the adults. Thus it has become increasingly common to dress them just like the groomsmen in small tuxedos.
Boys tuxedos, unlike Eton suits, are mostly worn with long pants. The boys prefer this so that they look just like the other attedants. There are, however, also tuxedos done in short pants. One company indicates that boy's tuxedo shorts are the perfect look for wedding ring bearers. One wedding expert writes, "Styled and proportioned for the young man, these formal short pants give a delightful accent to his tuxedo outfit."
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