Figure 1.-- Here we see an unknown English boy in a fancy, button on suit, probably in the early 1870s. He looks to be about 6 years old. This suit might have been called a sailor suits because stripe were strongly associated with sailor suits. It seems to have a back flap, but this is difficult to tell. We are unsure about the color. Note the cloth belt used to cover the waist buttons. This CDV was taken by F. Elliott, Middlesborough & Coatham Redcar, probably in the 1870s. Notice the narrow-brim hat which seemso match the suit.

We see younger boys wearing a variety of fancy juvenile suits. We use this term for want of a better term at this time. This was especially common in the 9th century when styles were not as standadized as they became in the 20th century. We think these suits were popular in the mid-19th century. Our assessment is limited because we have few photographic images from the 1840s-50s. We know much more about the 1860s-70s. We note quite a number of these suits suring thus period. The unknown English boy here was photograohed by F. Elliott, Middlesborough & Coatham Redcar, probably in the 1870s. The suits came in many different styles. Most of the styles probably originated in Britain or perhaps France. Many were button-on suits. The waist buttons are often hidden by a cloth waist belt. Stripes were commonly employed in the detailing. The styling on the jackets might be repeated on the trousers. The suits with stripes might have been called sailor suits even though they do not have the iconic "V" fromt blouse. Early sailor suits were quite varied and the traditional styles we now know were not well established. We are not sure what other terms may have been used for these suits in comtemporary catalogs. Thdy seem to have been worn by boys 4-8 years of age, although this is only a rough assessment at this time. These suits were worn in many other European countries and America at about the same time. They were worn with knee pants or bloomer knickers. Some were worn with long pants that often look like long knee pants.

Chronology

We see younger boys wearing a variety of fancy juvenile suits. We use this term for want of a better term at this time. Photography began with the Daguerreotype (1840s) and subsequently with the ambrotype (1850s) . Unfortunately we have fojnd very few examples of these early photographic types. We think these fancy suits were popular in the mid-19th century. Our assessment is limited because we have few photographic images from the 1840s-50s. We know much more about the 1860s-70s. We note quite a number of these suits during thus period. We pnly have significan information beginning with the appearance of the CDV (1860s). And we thus have detailed information beginning at that point. We see many fifferent styles of suits and varied decoration. This was especially common in the 19th century when styles were not as standadized as they became in the 20th century. There were no massproduced outfits. Younger boys suits were sewn in milanaries or at home. There was thus a great variety. The early suits were actually dancier and more elaborate than yje Fantleroy suits that appeared (mid-1880s). The Fauntleroy suits or seen as fancier because of the huge elaborate lace and rufflked collars. But the Fauntleroy suits themselves were very plain. It was the earlier juvenile suits that were more elborate.

Styling

We noyte quite a range of styles. A factor here is that many were not mass-produced, significantly increasing variability. We also notice the expansive use of striping. To a large degree this was associated with sailor suits or at least suits with varying degrees of sailor styling. The unknown This was probably considered a sailor suit. It seems to have a back flap. Not all these suits were sailor version. We see whay looks like an army version, although they were much less common. English boy here was photograohed by F. Elliott, Middlesborough & Coatham Redcar, probably in the 1870s. The suits came in many other different styles. Most of the styles probably originated in Britain or perhaps France. Many were button-on suits. The waist buttons are often hidden by a cloth waist belt. Stripes were commonly employed in the detailing. The styling on the jackets might be repeated on the trousers. The suits with stripes might have been called sailor suits even though they do not have the iconic "V" fromt blouse. Early sailor suits were quite varied and the traditional styles we now know were not well established. We are not sure what other terms may have been used for these suits in comtemporary catalogs. Thdy seem to have been worn by boys 4-8 years of age, although this is only a rough assessment at this time. These suits were worn in many other European countries and America at about the same time. They were worn with knee pants or bloomer knickers. Some were worn with long pants that often look like long knee pants.

Material

Some materials were commonly used for juvenile boys outfits, much as denim is very popular for children;s clothing today. Velvet and corduroy were two such materials. Velvet was very popular for boys suits in the late-19th century. The Fauntlerouy suit is perhaps the most famous, but we see boys wearingg velvet suit before the appearance of Fauntleroy suits (1885). They were very common in the 1870s and often highly decorated eith piping stripes abd other detiling. True velvet is an expenive material and thus velvet suits were most common for noys from well-to-do families. No other suiting material was seen as so luxurious as velvet. It was used arim on adult suits, but men's suits were not done in velvet. We notice quite a few examples in the photographic record. Corduroy was another popular material for boys. Corduroy was a very commonmaterial for suits worn by school-age boys. It was, howeve, a more modestly priced material. Thus it was very common for working-class boys. It was especilly known for being hard wearing, important in boys' clothing.

Created: 3:04 AM 11/26/2009
Last updated: 6:01 AM 5/6/2017