Figure 1.--We have no information on this portrait except that it is an American portrait taken in Lyndonville, Vermont. The boy clear came from a wealthy family. We are not sure for what occassion the boy would have worn this formal outfit and what other kinds of clothing he may have worn.

While primarily an adult style, toppers were also worn by boys, although this was not very common. They were worn by some boys from wealthy families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This portrait may show a British boy in an Eton suit for formal wear and not a school uniform. While the top hat was normally associated with men, boys did wear them. This would normally be boys from wealthy families. We are not sure just what would be the conventions involved here. Perhaps it was just for special occassions. Some boys may have worn these hats as part of an elaborate costume, but we think that boys from wealthy families actually did wear them on occassion.

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Created: January 22, 2004
Last updated: 4:36 AM 11/5/2004