Figure 1.--Here we have a cabinet card portrait of Pittsburg boy Charles Lomgmore. He has carefully printed out his name and address on the bac kof the card. We do not know how old he is, but would guess about about 8-years old, in part because his printing on the back of the card is so well done. We do know that the portarit was taken June 13, 1909--the end of thevschool year. The date is very useful. Americn boys had been wearing knee pants for about 5 decdes. By the 1890s, knee pants had becone standard. The 1900s decade, however, was the last decade that they were common. There were major changes (1908-09).

Here we have a cabinet card portrait of Pittsburg boy Charles Lomgmore. He has carefully printed out his name and address on the backof the card. We do not know how old he is, but would guess about about 7-years old. We do know that the portarit was taken June 13, 1909. he date is very useful. Americn boys had been wearing knee pants for about 5 decdes. By the 1890s, knee pants had becone standard. The 1900s decade, however, was the last decade that they were common. There were major changes (1908-09). We see flap caps repacing peaked caps and oher headwear and knickers replacing knee pants. And in rural ares, overalls become standard. We do no know why these major changes occurred at his time. Charles at the end of the school year is still wearing the old styles, a peaked cap (which you can barely see) and knee pants. Notice how he is wearing the cap, cocked to the side. We do not think that this was accidental. New styls were more likely to be inroduced at the beginning of a school year. Notice thathe isstill wearig a blouse rather than a shirt, but a blouse with a rather modern collar. The knee pants are almost certainly part of a suit, but he is not wearing the jacket, perhaps because the weathr has turned warm. haWhat did not change was the still prevalent long stockings, still worn despte the spring/summer weather. Notice the low-cut shoes. High-top shoes were still much more common. A reader provides a detailed assessment. "Another great image dating to 1909. First the cap is so indicative of the era. Second the blouse with the attached collar and polka dot tie. The collar is wide enough for a Windsor tie although Charles is not wearing one. Notice how the white blouse balloons out at the waist. The cuffs appear to be button cuffs. Third, the knee trousers appear to have a woven stripe to them. I would guess the color is some sort of gray (easier to keep clean). There are at least two buttons at the knee and the trousers have what appears to be a fly front rather than closed front and side openings. Fourth, Charles is wearing what appears to be black cotton stockings (notice how thin they appear). The wrinkle at his right ankle suggests the cotton was stretching a bit. Fifth, Charles shoes are laced with low cut and need a good polish. The style is similar to what boys began commonly wearing in the 1930s."

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Created: 3:24 AM 10/30/2024
Last edited: 3:32 PM 10/30/2024