Figure 1.--We see many American boys wearing white long stockings in the 1860s. Conventions varied over time. By the 1910s we see mostly girls wearing white long stockings, except for younger boys for special occasions. Here is a school class we think in the 1910s. The children look to be about 7 years old. Both boys and girls wore black long stockings, but only the girls here wher white long stockings. Norice the girls' great hair bows. The girls' hair bows and the boys' collar bows help suggest that the portrait was rken

The principal exception to the fact that there were few gender conventions associated with long stockings seems to have been color issues. This is most apparent with white stockings, although this varries chronologically among countries. Unfortunately the black and white photography of the date does not permit us to use the photographic record to assess color conventions. We know there were colors from catalogs and the variety shades in photographs, but we can not identify the colors. We can, however, see black and white stockings. We see a lot of white stockings when large numbers of photographic images appeared with the CDV (1860s). And the striped stockings become very commom (1870s). Black stockings became standard, but there were other darl colors and eventually light colors as well. And there were definite gender conventions associated with black and white stockins, although this caried from country to country. Age was also a factor, at least for boys. Both boys and girls wore black sockings. White stockings were worn more by girls than boys and became asociated wih girls at least in some countries. America and Germany were two countries where long stockings were especilly important and we have a substantial photographic archive for both countties. Not only did this vary chronologically. Some younger boys wore white stockings, but even for them the dark stockings were more common. We see some younger American boys wearing white long stockings in the early-20th century, but they were mostly worn by girls. White long stockings were some what more common for German boys, but again they were more common for girls. This was the same in most countries, although there were differences. The colors that became popular after World War I such as brown, flesh, and grey did not have gender conventions, only white stockings.

Exception

The principal exception to the fact that there were few gender conventions associated with long stockings seems to have been color issues. This is most apparent with white stockings, although this varries chronologically among countries. And there may have been other colr differences.

Color Shades

Unfortunately the black and white photography of the date does not permit us to use the photographic record to assess color conventions. We know there were colors from catalogs and the variety shades in photographs, but we can not identify the colors. Thus the photographic record can not be used to identify color gender differences. The shades we see could be grey or faded black stockings. But at any rate, there is no way of determining different color shades.

Black and White Stockings

We can, however, see black and white stockings and identify them with a fair defree of certainty. We see a lot of white stockings when large numbers of photographic images appeared with the CDV (1860s). And the striped stockings become very commom (1870s). Black stockings became standard, but there were other dark colors and eventually light colors as well. We may make some errors, but dark colors other than black appear a little different as do light slades other than white. We suspect that the only dark shade that looks truly black would be a dark navy blue.

Age Trends

Age was also a factor, at least for boys. Both boys and girls wore black sockings. White stockings were worn more by girls than boys and became asociated wih girls at least in some countries.

Country Trends

There were definite gender conventions associated with black and white stockings, although this caried from country to country. America and Germany were two countries where long stockings were especilly important and we have a substantial photographic archive for both countries. There were other countries where long stockings were commonly orn, but our archive is more limited. There were chronological differences which varied sonewhat among countries. Some younger boys wore white stockings, but even for them the dark stockings were more common. We see some younger American boys wearing white long stockings in the early-20th century, but they were mostly worn by girls. White long stockings were some what more common for German boys, but again they were more common for girls. This was the same in most countries, although there were differences. The colors that became popular after World War I such as brown, flesh, and grey did not have gender conventions, only white stockings.

Created: 12:19 AM 8/20/2015
Last updated: 12:44 AM 3/3/2018