Figure 1.--Here we see three unidentified English children, we think in the 1900s. The younger girl wears a fancy white dress with a even fancier hat. The boy wears a sailor suit with a boater hat. Althoug boys still wore hats, caps were becoming increasingly popular in the 1900s.

Head wear was still widely worn by children and adults in the early-20th century (figure 1). This included both boys and girls. Head wear was considered an essential part of proper dress. Boys were to wear a cap or hat when leaving home. They were also taught to tip their caps. Such formality was standard in the 19th century and continued to be the case in the 1900s decade. Hats were still worn in the early-20th century, but were not nearly as common as caps, but were still worn. Hats were more formal than caps (figure 1). Girls might wear really fancy hats when dressing up. We see girls with fancy hats and bonnets and plainer tams. Boys might wear boaters, at least boys from families in comfortable circumstances. While hats were still worn, caps were becoming the standard wear for most English boys. Social class was a factor. Boys from well-to-do families might have both caps and hats. Working-class boys probably only had a cap. At the turn-of-the 20th century, the peaked school cap was emerging as he dominant head wear style for boys. We see, however, some different styles. Flat caps, a related style, also seem common, but more for adults than boys. It never became a iconic boy's style as was the case in America. Yonger boys from affluent families might wear broad-brimmed hats or even tams.. The peaked school cap was becoming standard for boys. Older boys might wear boaters. Schools played a major role in setting styles. Boys at a few tony private schools wore top hats. We notice some boys seasonally wearing stocking caps. This was most common for boys in modest circumstances, but acquired more respectability as the century progressed. As the century progressed, caps were becoming increasingly common, especially peaked caps. Hats were still worn. Social class factors were involved. Boys from middle-class families were most likely to wear peaked caps, the rounded crown school type. Working-class boys were more likely to wear flat caps.

Conventions

Head wear was still widely worn by children and adults in the early-20th century (figure 1). This included both boys and girls. Head wear was considered an essential part of proper dress. Even boys were expcted to war a cap or hat when leaving home. They were also taught to tip their caps. This formality was standard in the 19th century and continued to be the case in the 1900s decade.

Types

Hats were still worn in the early-20th century, but were not nearly as common as caps, but were still worn. Girls might wear really fancy hats when dressing up. We see girls with fancy hats and bonnets and plainer tams. Boys might wear boaters, at least boys from families in comfortable circumstances. While hats were still worn, caps were becoming the standard wear for most English boys.

Social Class

ocial class factors were involved. Boys from middle-class families were most likely to wear peaked caps, the rounded crown school type. Working-class boys were more likely to wear flat caps. Boys from well-to-do families might have both caps and hats. Working-class boys probably only had a cap. We notice some boys seasonally wearing stocking caps. This was most common for boys in modest circumstances, but acquired more respectability as the century progressed.

Prevalence

At the turn-of-the 20th century, the peaked school cap was emerging as he dominant head wear style for boys. We see, however, some different styles. Flat caps, a related style, also seem common, but more for adults than boys. It never became a iconic boy's style as was the case in America. Yonger boys from affluent families might wear broad-brimmed hats or even tams.. The peaked school cap was becoming standard for boys. As the century progressed, caps were becoming increasingly common, especially peaked caps. While school caps were generally worn by school-age boys, we see some younger boys wearing them. We also see some older boys wearing them, but just for games. Hats were still worn but increasingly less commonly.

Age

Younger boys migh wear tams which were very common with girls. School age boys might wear sailor caps. We alsonsee some Scottish n=binnets, but the school peaked scgooln cap was becominf the standard. Older boys might wear boaters. Although sometimes these developing conventuins were bent as we can see with thboater the hyiunger boy here is wearng (figure 1).

School Styles

Schools played a major role in setting styles. Boys at a few tony private schools wore top hats. The school cap came from Britain's private schools, aystem that only educated a small percentage of Britain's school population. Yet they set the standard for school wear in the country as a whole.

Created: 9:33 PM 6/13/2016
Last updated: 6:57 PM 4/16/2024