Figure 1.--This is an English portrait of John Strange Williams and Sarah Ann Williams. It was painted by John R. Wildman (fl.1823-1839). HBC estimates, however, that this portrait was painted in the 1820s.

Skeleton suits were especially popular in England and even mentioned in Dickens novels, like David Copperfield. Many portaits of children painted in the late 19th and early 20th century show the boys wearing skeleton suits. Often brothers were dressed in identical suits.

HBC does not have enough information to identify specific national styles. It is collecting skeleton suit images from different countries and hopes to eventually discern national stylistic differences as well as variations in trends.

Chronology

Styles

Some information is available on stylistic trends associated with English skeleton suits.

Jacket

Many jackets had rows of militaru looking brass buttons. This was clearly a stylislic convention adapted frpm military uniforms of the day.

Collar

The collars worn by English boys were highly varried. Varying from open to high closed collars. Ruffled collars were quite similar, some looking like the Fauntleroy collars which became popular in the late 19th century. Collars in the late 18th century were often open, but by the 1820s were mostly closed.

Pants

Suits styled like skeleton suits appeared in the late 18th century, but by the the turn of the 19th century were worn with long pants. Sometimes the pants were rather tight, but images show that English boys also wore baggy pants. The tight pants were most common when knee breeches were being worn with the suits and early long pants styles at the turn of the 19th cetury. By the 1820s pants were mot worn as tightly.

Socks

Ehite socks appear common, although as boys wore long pants with skeletion suits, the length of the socks can not be determined.

Created: February 13, 2000
Last updated: February 13, 2000