Figure 1.-- This is a cabinet studio portrait of Harold Fiske, "son of Addie la Selle Fiske". Harold looks to be about 5 years old. He wears a long overcoat with what looks like a Turkish fez. The studio was Taylor, 509 Court St. Beatrice, Nebraska. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1890s. Notice how mother has tied his bow outside he coat so that it shows.

Capes were commonly worn in the 19th century. We do not have much information on the early-19th century, but we see capes in both the mid- and late-19th century. We see both boys and girls wearing capes. They were not a children's style. Adults also wore them. They are probably most associated with Sherlock Holmes. Capes were especially common with coats. They were made to be worn with some coats. The cape seems to be an elegant garment worn with overcoats. The ones we have seen were not decorated, but rather plain garments. The capes came in different sizes and cuts. We have seen capes with fur collars. It was not a major style, but we see a number of children with these caped coats. They seem more common for girls than boys. The caped coat was also an expensive garment. It seems to be a style worn by children from affluent families. We are not sure what the functionality of the cape was. It may have been primarily a fashion statement, but it did add an extra layer of fabric over the shoulders and upper torso. Our chronology of capes is limited. We note examples in the 1880s and 90s, but believe they were worn throughout the 19th century. Just how common they were for boys in the early-19th century, we are not ebtirely sure. Capes seem to largely disappeare after the turn-of-the-20th century. We do not see boys wearing them after the 1900s.

Chronology

Capes were commonly worn in the 19th century, at least by the well-to-do. We do not have much information on the early-19th century, but we see capes in both the mid-and late-19th century. Our chronology of capes is incomplete. We note examples in the 1880s and 90s, but believe they were worn throughout the 19th century. They may have been most common in the 1880s-90s, but a factor here is the vasr body of the photigraphic record in the late-19th century. Another factor is the rising income levels as a result of the industrial revolution. Just how common they were for boys in the early-19th century, we are not entirely sure. Capes seem to largely disappeared after the turn-of-the-20th century. We do not see boys wearing them after the 1900s.

Gender

We see both boys and girls wearing capes. They seem more common for girls than boys.

Age Conventions

These capes were not a specifically children's style. It was actually more of an adult style. They are today probably most associated with Sherlock Holmes. Presumably an illustrtor of Shelock Holmes books made a point of depicting in caped overcoats. Wedo see children with these capes. Some are as young as 3-4 years of age. This was basically aby child that was old enough to wear an overcoat.

Overcoats

The capes that we see American boys wearing were cold weather garments. The ones we see in the photographic record are primarily made to be worn with overcoats. The Nebraska boy here is a good example (figure 1). As they were dine with overcits, it mean that there was a regional factor involved. Children in the South did not need overcoats. In the North heavy coats were needed and this could include overcoats. There were vrious types of coats. Overcoats were a highend garments, mist associated with the affluent in northern big cities. Working class children wre more likely to wear heavy jackets or shorter coats. These were rarely done with capes. There were other types of capes, but we rarely see boys wearing them. The only ones we see to any extent are capes made to be worn with overcoats and these were seen only in a narow time period--the 1880s and 90s. Other ghan this we rarely see boys wearing capes. They were made to be worn with some overcoats. They were done in the sanme material and color as ghe overcoiat. The cape seems to be an elegant garment worn with overcoats. The ones we have seen were not decorated, but rather plain garments.

Styling

The capes came in different sizes and cuts. The standard cape hung to about the elbows. We have seen capes with fur collars.

Prevalence

The cape was not a major style for boys, but we see a number of children with these caped coats.

Social Class

The caped coat was also an expensive garment. It seems to be a style worn by children from affluent families.

Utility

We are not sure what the functionality of the cape was. It may have been primarily a fashion statement, but it did add an extra layer of fabric over the shoulders and upper torso and thus provided added warmth.

Created: 8:57 PM 4/23/2010
Last updated: 12:07 AM 1/17/2024