Figure 1.--Most boys wore sashes with Fauntleroy suits, bit we see them being worn with other outfis as well. This Cabinet card photograph of a boy with a rifle. He is dressed in a nblouse and knee pants with a large fringed sash tied around his waist and a white collar bow. His outdit is fairly standard with the exception of the sash. A watch fob is on the front of his shirt. The image looks to have been taken in the 1890s. Printed on the bottom margin is, “Anderson, Springfield, Ills.” with the photographer’s logo in the center. Printed on the back is the photographer’s logo and “Anderson, 511 and 513 North Side Square, Springfield, Ills.”

There are two different types of decorative sashes worn by boys. Both have military origins. The most common was the waist sash. Waist sashes were usually added to fancy clothes like velvet Fauntleroy suits and white party dresses. They were most common for boys during the late 19th and early 20th century with the fancy outfits for boys that were poopular during that period. Sashes were worn when a mother wanted a boy in his best party suit. Girls also wore waist sashes, but they were gerally tied differently with bows at the back. There were also shoulder sashes. We only see boys wearing the shoulder sash. Waist sashes are the best known sashes, but there are also shoulder sashes, although we are not sure this is the best term. This is an item associated with modern Celtic clothing. HBC has noted few example of boys wearing shoulder sashes.

Waist Sashes and Cummerbunds

Waist sashes were the most sashes commonly worn sashes by boys. Boys wore waist sashes with many clothing styles. They were usually added to fancy clothes like velvet Fauntleroy suits and white party dresses. They were most common for boys during the late 19th and early 20th century with the fancy outfits for boys that were popular during that period. Sashes were worn when a mother wanted a boy in his best party suit. They were usually only added for special occasions of course and not an everyday style. The common name for a waist sash sash is "Cummerbund", a term of Indian origins. Some waist sashes simplu wrapped around the waist, like the cummerbund. Others had a knot with a length of materail falling vertically at the side from the waist sash. Some authors speculated that the color of the sashes, such as blue for boys, could have inicated the gender of the child. This was, however, not always the case as color conventions were not yet well established during the era in which boys wore sashes. The sash was generaly made of a somewhat stiffer material with a finer finish from that of the dress or velvet Fauntleroy suit. Girls also wore waist sashes, but they were gerally tied differently with bows at the back.

Shoulder Sashes

Waist sashes are the best known sashes, but there are also shoulder sashes, although we are not sure this is the best term. This is an item associated with modern Celtic clothing. HBC has noted few example of boys wearing shoulder sashes. One exception is kilt outfits. We have noted shoulder sashes are worn by boys wearing dressy Scottish and Irish kilts outfits. S These are generally associted with dancing costimes or pipe bands. ome Scouts wear sashes wear they have sewb their awards, rather than sewing them on their uniforms. The only other sash we has noted are those worn by princes in fancu military uniforms.

Created: 12:10 AM 6/11/2010
Last updated: 12:10 AM 6/11/2010