United States Boys' Clothes: Warm Weather (Summer) Clothing


Figure 1.--This cabinent card has no associated informstion, mot even the photographer. It shows a group of boys during the summer. Most are wearing just their blouses and not their jackets. These boys are mosdtly wearing long stockings and shoes. Depending on formality, demographics, and social class, it was also common to go barefoot during the summer. Thie cabinent card is undated, but we would guess it was taken anout 1895-1900, based on the mount and clothing. Put your cursor on the image for a closer view.

Lighter-weight clothing for summer was comfortable, but not nearly as essential as cold weather clothing for winter. As the 19th century unfolded and American became affluent, we find boys acquiring larger wardrobes with more seasonal garments. The times of garments in the 19th century do not seem greatly different, but the weight of the clothing and the colors did tend to be different. Of course seasonal wardrobes became even extensive in the 20th century. And we do begin to seen especially made summer clothing. We note light-weight clothing in the 19th century, but many boys had limited wardrobes that did not include seaonal garments. We have a very good idea of this because of the avasilability of family smapshots in the 20th century. Gradually summerwear became increasingly important. This was part of the increasing trend toward informal clothing. A major development was the appearance of socks rather than long stockings for schoolage children. This was the first time that children not going barefoot were allowed to go bare legged. Rainwear was alsdo developed and became important items. Here there were regional differencesd. Light-weight clothing was more important in the South where winters were shorter and milder. Boys in the north in particulasr might not have light-weight clothes. Children might adjust to the weather by going barefoot which meant not wearing long stockings. They might also despense with jackets and vests just wear a blouse during the summer. Increasing prosperity meant that summer wardrobes became much more extensive in the 20th century. There were substantial regional trends in the United States. In the North, light-weight summer clothing was only needed for a few months (June through Auugust). Cold weatgher clothing, however was vital and needed for about half the year (November-March) or even longer in the far North and mountain states. In the South, light-weight summer clothing could be worn most of the year, especially in the Deep South. Heavy winter clothing was only needed a few moths (December-February) and not even in those moths in Florida and the Gulf coast.

Garments

Summer garments are a little difficult to describe as the conventions havr baried over time and they usually are the same as winter garments only done in lighter-weight material. One new item was the raincoat which does not seem very common in the 19th century. The most obvious garmrent shoidts were in hosiery and to a lesser extent footwear.

Chronology

Summer wear garments have varied over time. Summerwear does not seem very common in the 19th century. Our informnation is limited for the early decades. We know more about the later decades, although there are not a lot of family snapshots showing casuyal dress. Basically people wore lighter-weight garments. Boys might go about in shirt sleeves without a jacket. Going barefoot was common in the 19th and early-20th century. Lighter-weight clothing for summer was comfortable, but not nearly as essential as cold weather clothing for winter. As the 19th century unfolded and American became affluent, we find boys acquiring larger wardrobes with more seasonal garments.We have elaborate details about the 2oth century because of all the family snapzshots. Tunics were popular summer wear in the early 20th century. After World war I, sdun suits became p[ilar for younger boys. Sunsmart clothiong appeared in the very late 20-th century, but does nort seem to have had a major impact in the United states eben furing the 21st century.

The 19th Century

Lighter-weight clothing for summer was comfortable, but not nearly as essential as cold weather clothing for winter. As the 19th century unfolded and American became affluent, we find boys acquiring larger wardrobes with more seasonal garments. The times of garments in the 19th century do not seem greatly different, but the weight of the clothing and the colors did tend to be different. Of course seasonal wardrobes became even extensive in the 20th century. And we do begin to seen especially made summer clothing. We note light-weight clothing in the 19th century, but many boys had limited wardrobes that did not include seaonal garments. And even when wearing light-weight clothing, usually wore long stockings. An exception here was very young children and children going barefoot. It is interesting that modesty standards were put aside fopr children going barefoot.

The 20th Century

We have a very good idea of this because of the avasilability of family smapshots in the 20th century. Gradually summerwear became increasingly important. This was part of the increasing trend toward informal clothing. A major development was the appearance of socks rather than long stockings for schoolage children. This was the first time that children not going barefoot were allowed to go bare legged. Rainwear was alsdo developed and became important items. Here there were regional differencesd. Light-weight clothing was more important in the South where winters were shorter and milder. Boys in the north in particulasr might not have light-weight clothes. Children might adjust to the weather by going barefoot which meant not wearing long stockings. They might also despense with jackets and vests just wear a blouse during the summer. Increasing prosperity meant that summer wardrobes became much more extensive in the 20th century.

Regional Trends

There were substantial regional trends in the United States. In the North, light-weight summer clothing was only needed for a few months (June through Auugust). Cold weatgher clothing, however was vital and needed for about half the year (November-March) or even longer in the far North and mountain states. In the South, light-weight summer clothing could be worn most of the year, especially in the Deep South. Heavy winter clothing was only needed a few moths (December-February) and not even in those moths in Florida and the Gulf coast.







HBC





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Created: 11:20 PM 3/21/2010
Last updated: 11:20 PM 3/21/2010