Curls were done in various ways. The most elavorate were long Fauntleroy ringlets. The most famous style of curls worn by American boys is the ringlet curls that were associated with the Little Lord Fauntleroy style. This was particularly popular in America during the late-19th century. Many images exist of American boys wearing ringlets. Ringlets appear to have been even more popular in America. Most of the portraits in the ringlet curls section are of American boys. We note boys weraring ringlet curls as early as the 1850s, but thi sprovly ocurred earlier. It appears to have become much more common in the 1880s. Many such hair styles were worn in association with the Little Lord Fauntleroy craze which began in 1885. The ringlet style for boys appeared earlier, but after the publication of Mrs. Burnett's book, it was worn by more boys, including some older boys. There were , however, many different styles besides ringlets. Some Fauntleroy outfits were worn with curled hair, but not done in ringlets. This was not very common, but we see a few examples. This was mostly shortr cut styles with the curls well off the shoulders. We note a variety of styles. We note some boys with curls at the end of their hair at the siges and back. This was done in many different ways. Some were only slightly curled. Some older boys wore their curls longer, but usually had them cut before they entered school. Some times these were not natural curls, but curled in various ways. Normally this was above the shoulders styles. We also notice younger boys wearing tunic suits with top curls. A top curl was a large, uually fat curl, right at the top of the head. There were many variations on this basic theme. This is something that was not common for curls. More common and less associated with a particular style or period were the natural curls that younger boys developed before their hair was cut. Here there were a variety of styles depending on the different types of hair.

Fauntleroy Ringlet Curls

The most famous style of curls worn by American boys is the ringlet curls that were associated with the Little Lord Fauntleroy style. This was particularly popular in America during the late-19th century. Many images exist of American boys wearing ringlets. Ringlets appear to have been even more popular in America. Most of the portraits in the ringlet curls section are of American boys. We note boys weraring ringlet curls as early as the 1850s, but thi sprovly ocurred earlier. It appears to have become much more common in the 1880s. Many such hair styles were worn in association with the Little Lord Fauntleroy craze which began in 1885. The ringlet style for boys appeared earlier, but after the publication of Mrs. Burnett's book, it was worn by more boys, including some older boys. Many American mothers in the 1870s and early 1880s cut, albeit reluctantly, their boys' hair short even while they were still in dresses. This became somewhat less common after 1885. The ringlet style for boys continued into the 20th century, but by the 1910s was increasingly less common. Another factor which needs to be considered is possible regional differences. We are not going to pursue the ringlet curl fashion in America in detail on this page. This is primarily because the main HBC ringlet curl section is almost all based on American images and information and thus would be redundant to relicate a new American section here. HBC suggests that readwes interested in the American ringlet curl fashion simply go to the main HBC ringlet curl page.

Figure 2.--This boy wears a Fauntleroy blouse. His hair is curled at the ends, but not done in ringlets. He was from El Paso, Texas.

Other Fauntleroy Curls

Some Fauntleroy outfits were worn with curled hair, but not done in ringlets. This was not very common, but we see a few examples. This was mostly shortr cut styles with the curls well off the shoulders. We note a variety of styles. We note some boys with curls at the end of their hair at the siges and back. This was done in many different ways. Some were only slightly curled. Other boys had elaborate, almost bushy curls. We are unsure what the proper terms are for the different non-ringlet styles. These were not necesarily Fauntleroy styles, bit these fancy styles are most commonly seen with Fauntleroy oufits. Again we see them more commonly in America than Europe.

Pre-School Curls

Some older boys wore their curls longer, but usually had them cut before they entered school. Some times these were not natural curls, but curled in various ways. Normally this was above the shoulders styles

Top Curls

We also notice younger boys wearing tunic suits with top curls. A top curl was a large, uually fat curl, right at the top of the head. There were many variations on this basic theme. This is something that was not common for curls. Riglets were worn by boys ag girls, The top curl was mostly for boys. This was primarily in the mid-19th century, beginning in the the 1860s, This was often, but not always combined with ringlet curl hair styles. We see boys with top curls wearing a wide range of outfits, The tunics were just one of the many styles.

Toddler Curls

More common and less associated with a particular style or period were the natural curls that younger boys developed before their hair was cut. Here there were a variety of styles depending on the different types of hair.

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Created: 7:28 PM 4/19/2023
Last edited: 7:28 PM 4/19/2023