Figure 1.--Little Lord Fauntleroy suits had not entirely duisappeared in the 1920s althogh we can see from the photographic record that they were not very commom. We mostly see them being worn for very formal events like weddings. Although we still see them in catalog we see very few in our extensive American archive. Lane Bryant offered two Fauntleroy out fts. One was a shorttalls-like set described as suspnder pants for todlers and pre-school boys. The other was an actual Fauntleroy suit with a cut-away jacket, described as an Eton jacket, for somewhat older boys up to age 8 years. The jacket and pants are very similar to the suits won during the Funtleroy craze of the 1880-90s, except they include short pants rther than knee pnts. The same-style white blouse was worn with both, a plainer version of the classic Fauntleroy blouse.

Little Lord Fauntleroy suits had not entirely duisappeared by the 1920s although we can see from the photographic record that they were not very commom. We mostly see them being worn for very formal events like weddings. Although we still see them in catalog we see very few in our extensive American archive. Lane Bryant offered two Fauntleroy out fts. One was a shortalls-like set described as suspnder pants for todlers and pre-school boys. The other was an actual Fauntleroy suit with a cut-away jacket, described as an Eton jacket, for somewhat older boys up to age 8 years. The jacket and pants are very similar to the suits won during the Funtleroy craze of the 1880-90s, except they include short pants rther than knee pnts. The same-style white blouse was worn with both, a plainer version of the classic Fauntleroy blouse. The material was velveteen, a cheaper version of velvet. The pants and suit were vailable in black or navy blue.

Little Lord Fauntleroy Suits

Francis Hodgson Burnett, an English-born American, helped popularize a style of dress for boys that proved exceedingly popular among romantically inclined, doting mothers. The author modeled her famous fictional creation, Cedric Erol, after her own son, Vivian, and thereby condemned a generation of "manly little chaps" in America and Britain to elaborate, picturesque outfits. The actual description of Cedie's suits were rather brief in her book, Little Lord Fauntleroy. Perhaps even more influential than her text in popularizing the style were the lavishly detailed drawings by Reginald Birch, the artist who illustrated Mrs. Burnett's story. Whether it was the book or the illustrations, combined they were responsible for an enduring vogue of boy's clothes in the romantic style of the Cavalier/Restoration or Van Dyck Period worn by the young American hero of the story. Little Lord Fauntleroy suits had not entirely duisappeared by the 1920s although we can see from the photographic record that they were not very commom. We mostly see them being worn for very formal events like weddings. Although we still see them in catalog we see very few in our extensive American archive.

Lane Bryant

Lane Bryant is a chain store focusing on fashion for larger size women. The store began with a focus on maternity clothes. The founder was Lena Himmelstein Bryant Malsin (1879?-1951), a immigrant from Lithuania. Lane Bryant is the accidental Americanized version of her name which was used for the chain of stores she founded. was an U.S. clothing designer and retailer who founded the maternity clothing chain Lane Bryant. She was born in Lithuania, but raised by her grandparents. She immigrated to America at age 16, the cheapest way possible--in steerage. It was planned that she marry a distant relative, but instead found a job in a swearshop like many immigrant gifrls at the time. She earned $1 a week at a sweat shop on Lispenard Street. She married a jeweler, David Bryant,about 1899. She worked with him in his modest Brooklyn store. Their first child Raphael was born soonafter (1900). Tragically her husband died 6 months after Raphael arrived. She was left with nothing. She was taken in by her sister Anna who had a small apartment on West 112th St. Rather than return to the sweat shops, she decided to use her talents to make high-end garments. She began making negligees and tea gowns using delicate laces and fine silks to well-to-do customers. From that simple beginning grew one of the major American retail clothing chains. The company deals with women's clothing, but the catalog has offered children's clothing.

Description

Lane Bryant offered two Fauntleroy outfts. One was a shorttalls-like set described as suspnder pants for todlers and pre-school boys. The other was an actual Fauntleroy suit with a cut-away jacket, described as an Eton jacket, for somewhat older boys up to age 8 years. The jacket and pants are very similar to the suits won during the Funtleroy craze of the 1880-90s, except they include short pants rther than knee pants. The same-style white blouse was worn with both, a plainer version of the Fauntleroy blouse. The fabric iffered, broadcloth for the suspendr pants outfit an silk-satin for the suit.

Material

The material for the suspender pants and suit was velveteen, a cheaper version of velvet, actually a type of corduroy with a slightly different weave. The pants and suit were vailable in black or navy blue.

Ad Copy

The Lane Bryant ad copy for the two outfits provides details.

9E 2162Suspender Fauntleroy pants

The Lane Bryant ad copy read, "Velveteen and broadcloth. For best wear. For his best Suit choose this Velveteen suspenderpants and blouse of lustrous White Broad cloth, trimmed with self-material ruching. The pants, held in place by suspnders that button in front, also button at each side. Pants are lined; have real pockets. A suit that always looks smart fir dressy wear. Will not soil easily. Blouse may be detached to launder. COLORS: Black or navy blue pants, each with white blouse. SIZES: 1, 2, 3,, 4, and 5/ years. Price ... $3.98. We pay Post." This looks like an early version of shortalls.

9E 251: Velveteen Fauntleroy suit

The suit here is very similar to the classoc Little Lord Fauntleroy suit, although the blouse is plainer. The Lane Bryant ad copy read, "Velveteen and silk-satin. Velvetten. 'Lord Fauntleroy' Suit of fine quality Velveteen. Three-piece style with detchable Eton Jacket, coniderd one of the smartest suits for small boys this season. Long-sleeved blouse of lustrous, washable White Silk Satin, with self-matrial flutin; elastic waitband on bloue. Jacket and pants are lined. Two pockts in pants. COLORS: Black or navyblue, each with white blouse. SIZES: 2, 3. 4. 5. 6, 7. and 8 years. $7.98. We pay postage." We note an unidentified boy about 6 years old or so wearing a suit very similar to this one, we think for his violin recital.

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Created: 9:52 PM 4/24/2014
Last updated: 2:01 PM 2/28/2019