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One of the most distinctive styles of neck wear worn by American boys was the floppy bow. It added color or a a patch of white and a decorative touch to the often drab or somber-colored outfits worn by boys. This was in sharp contrast to the black stocks that dominated neck wear during the mid-19th century. And they were often paired with large, usually white, ruffled collars. This was all part of the Fauntleroy Craze (1885-1905). The Fauntleroy suit was enormously popular, but many boys did not wear the classic Fauntleroy suit suit and those that did only for a few years. Even more important were the Fauntleroy associated items like floppy bows and large ruffled collars. Contrary to popular views, relatively few boys wore lace collars, but a majority of boys during the Fauntleroy era wore floppy bows and large-ruffled collars with their regular suits. Sizes varied, but the large bows and collars were very common. And it was a boys' style. Girls did not wear these floppy collar bows--this was very rare. Girls wore all kinds of bows, but collar bows were for the most part strictly for boys. As none reached the sizes of boys' collar bows, except for girls hair bows for a short period. It was very distinctive style, but very important for about two decades. Cabinet cards are very helpful because they almost always have the name of the photographer along wth he city and state. But even with the rare occassions where the card is blank, the style of the collar and bows is so destinctive that they can readily be identified as American.
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