Figure 1.--This Tam O'Shanter was reffered to as a "beret" by "La Mode Illustée" in 1884. It was offerecd by Mme Coussinet, rue Richer. It was for a 4-6 year old boy. Note the large pom.

HBC has first noticed the caps in mid-19th century paintings of boys wearing kilts and kilt-like outfits. At this time the earlist appearance in a French fashion magazine that we have noted is the 1880s, but the tam may have been worn even earlier. They appear to have been very popular in France and Britain beginning in the 1880s. They were worn by boys in many other outfits such as Little Lord Fauntleroy suits during the 1880s. They subsequently declined as boys' wear in America. We note them in America during the 1890s and the early 20th century before World War I (1914-18). HBC knows less about Scotland, but the tam must have extensively worn there. The tam has nerver entirely disappeared. They are occasionally seen in the mid 20th century. HBC has occasionally noted them in fashion magazines which may show smartly dressed younger boys in Tam O'Shanters.

Mid 19th Century

HBC has first noticed the caps in mid-19th century paintings of boys wearing kilts and kilt-like outfits. We note an American boy, Thomas Hardwick, wearing a tasseled Tam about 1840 or 41.

The 1880s

At this time the earlist appearance in a French fashion magazine that we can confirm is the 1880s, but the tam may have been worn even earlier. They appear to have been very popular in France and Britain beginning in the 1880s. They were worn by boys in many other outfits such as Little Lord Fauntleroy suits during the 1880s. HBC knows less about Scotland, but the tam must have extensively worn there.

The 1890s

We note them in America during the 1890s.

The 1900s

We continue to note the tam being worn in the early 20th century before World War I (1914-18). A good example is an American boy about 1905.

Mid 20th Century

The tam has nerver entirely disappeared. They are occasionally seen in the mid 20th century. HBC has occasionally noted them in fashion magazines which may show smartly dressed younger boys in Tam O'Shanters.