Figure 1.--This CDV shows Algy Reynard dressed in a Funtleroy styled kilt suit. The lace collar and cuffs may be pin-ons. We re not sure what Algy is wearing under the jacket. The cut-away jacket shows what was worn under the jacket, but we do not know just what it was. It does not look like a blouse. Algy is also shown with a horse whip and jockey's cap. He looks to be about 3 years old. He tragically died at age 5 years. The portrait is undated, but was probably taken in the 1890s. The studio was Boak and Sons in Driffield, Yorkshire.

There are many garments associated with kilt suits. Many portraits do not incline head wear which was very commonly worn in the 19th century. But unlike many other outfits, when shown we commonly see Scottish bonnets meaning Balmorals or Glengaries. For some reason, almost always we see Glengaries and Balmlorals are rare. This as not the case in America where kilt suits were also worn. In America, Scottish bonnets were not as common. By the 1890s we see a greater variety of head wear. We see a range of different jackets. We see a lot of cut-away jackets. What we do not see is the black military jackets commonly worn with Highland kilt outfits. We see many vests worn with kilt suits. The vest usually matched the jacket and kilt skirt. We see a few worn with sailor blouse tops. An essential part of the kilt suit of course was the kilt skirt. Rarely do we see tartan kilts worn with kilt suits. Most, but not all kilt suits were pleated. The material and pattern of the kilt usually matched the jacket. With Highland kilt out outfits we usually see patterned knee socks. We almost never see this with kilt suits. When kilt suits first appeared, we commonly see kilts suits worn with long stockings. As the century progressed, we see more and more English boys wearing various kinds of socks rather than long stockings. Algy Reyhard here is a good example (figure 1). This is a major difference with America, the only other country where kilt suits were worn. In fact, kilt suits were more popular in America than England. And American boys virtually always wore kilt suits with long stockings. British boys by the mid-19th century generally wore long stockings as we begin to see shortened-length pants. Kilts and kilt suits along with dresses for younger boys were the first boys' garments where we begin to see uncovered legs. A fashion that was not followed in America.

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Created: 6:59 PM 10/11/2024
Last updated: 6:59 PM 10/11/2024