Figure 1.--This American boy had his portrait taken in Buffalo, New Yprk, probably during the 1880s. We are not sure just how to interpret this portrait. I thought at first he was in a military school. The badge he is wearing, however, makes the outfit look more like a costume. But the jacket looks too substantial for a costume. A reader speculates a lodge uniform. Another possibility is delivery boy.

We notice portraits of many American boys wearing uniforms. There were various types of juvenile uniforms. The most common uniform in the years before school uniforms became common was the Boy Scout and other youth group uniforms. We also note boys wearing costume uniforms of various kinds. Thgese uniforms were commonly carried in the major mail order catalogs. Uniforms were not common in American schools, except at military scgools. They were adoted at parochial schools and now are becoming increasingly common, especially at primary (elementary) schools and junior highschools.

Youth Groups

The most common uniform in the years before school uniforms became common was the Boy Scout and other youth group uniforms. Scouting in the principal American youth group in America. The American SCouting movement was stongly influenced by Baden owell's English Scouts, but there were several Scout-like groups which formed in Americam before the Enlish Scouting movement was formed. After Scouting became the dominate movement in the 1900s. One of the most important was Camp Fire. Religious groups, objecting to the secular, non denominational constraints of Scoting formed the Royal rangers. Right and left wing groups also formed uouth groups of some importance, primarily in the 1930s.

Costumes

We also note boys wearing costume uniforms of various kinds. Thgese uniforms were commonly carried in the major mail order catalogs.

Lodges

A number of lodges began to organize in America in the 19th century. This followed the Masons which organized in the 18th century. Some of these groups included the Elks, Moose, and Shriners. These were men's fraternal orders. Many had, however, auxileries for both wives and boys, I'm less sure about girls. We have seen boys wearing unidentified uniforms. We think that some of them may be wearing lodge uniforms, aslthough we are not at all sure. Perhaps HBC readers will have some insights here.

Schools

American school children, with some exceptions, have not worn school uniforms. Uniforms were not common in American schools, except at military schools. America's parochial school children have worn uniforms--although I'm not sure when uniforms were introduced. Private school children--especially America's elite private schools modeled on British preparatory and public schools--also had uniforms. Quite a substantial number of children were involved in the parochial schools, but the number of private school children until recently has been much more limited. American public (state) school children have not worn uniforms, although quite a number of public schools have begun to study the issue. They were adoted at parochial schools and now are becoming increasingly common, especially at primary (elementary) schools and junior highschools. Many in the 1990s have begun instituting non-compulsory uniform policies.

Sports Uniforms

Created: 2:01 AM 9/23/2004
Last updated: 8:29 PM 3/1/2007