Figure 1.-- This American children was photographed by H.W. Osgood at the Opera House Block, but we don't know the city. The cabinent card is undated. We think it was probably taken in the early 1870s because of the bow, white stockings, and mount style. The large lace collar, however, was unusual this early. The boy is wearing a plasid skirt, not a kilt, but there are tabs at the waustline not usually seen on a skirt.

HBC had intially assumed that the kilt suit originated in Britain as did most Amnerican boys' fashions. Of course the kilt as a boy's gsarment did originaste in Briain. But the origins of thekilt suit are more elusive. HBC believes that the kilt suits were not worn in either England or Scotland to the extent they were worn in America. Thus the kilt suit may have been a home grown fashion. We do not know, however, just who in America created this fashion. We note boys wearing plaid skirts in the 1870s. The kilt suit may have developed from this early style. Here we are somewhat unsure as these plaid skirts may hasve been inexpensive efforts to replicate plaid suits.

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Created: 7:05 AM 9/4/2009
Last updated: 7:05 AM 9/4/2009