Figure 1.-- This is water color a colorized studio printo on silk. It was a large format print 55 x 40 cm (22 x 15 in). We are unsure how to date, but the dealer suggested the 1890s. We find this interesting. The U.S. Military only has Zouave units during the Civil War (1861-65). We continue to see portits of American boys weaing Zouave outfirs through the rest of the century (1870s-90s). We are not sure what kept the style alive, probably the influence of French fashion. There was no information aboutthe photographer. Photographer: anonymous, no indication of location.

Zouave styles which uriginated in French North Africa were also popular in America, especially when military units were organized with Zouave uniforms during the Civil War (1861-65). The United States after France seens to have been the most popular country for this style. Most of the images we have found are American, a reflection of the vast American photographic record and the growing affluence of the United States--more parents with the money to dress their children fashionbly. This may reflect our more substantial American archive. HBC is unsure at this time as to what other countries Zouave uniforms were worn, but presumabaly for nationalist reasons, we see few in Britain and Germany. An observer writes, "Boy's clothing of the Moorish-styled Zouave pantaloons and jackets first appeared in France in the 1840s and 50s, but rapidly migrated to England and America. With the rise of Elmer Ellsworth's Zouave Cadet Units, in America , in the late 1850s, the desire for Zouave styled clothing also rose. Throughout the war years, Zouave jackets were worn as a show of patriotism. Boys wanted to wear military styled clothing and the stories of bravery and heroism that were printed about the Zouave units added to the popularity. Illustrations appeared in the many of the publications of the day showing young lads dressed in these uniforms, much like this one from La Mode Illustree in 1861." [Harriman] A good example are two American boys, Charles and Harland Russell, during the 1860s. We not only see these outfits during the Civil War, but for two decades after the War, probably involving Civil War veterns outfitting their boys in Zouave outfits. Interestingly, it is not just during the Civil War that noys were dressed up in Zouave unforms. For example, the New York boy on the previous page in 1883 is a good example. We are not sure hoiw to exo=palkin the continuing influence of the Zouave fashion. We are not even sure if mother or father is responsible. We might understand this immediateky followeing the Civil War, but ir continued into the 1880s and 90s. Perhaps colordul reports from French military operations in North Africa were a factor.

Popularity

Zouave styles which uriginated in French North Africa were also popular in America, especially when military units were organized with Zouave uniforms during the Civil War (1861-65). The United States after France seems to have been the most popular country for this style. Most of the images we have found are American, a reflection of the vast American photographic record and the growing affluence of the United States--more parents with the money to dress their children fashionbly. This may reflect our more substantial American archive. HBC is unsure at this time as to what other countries Zouave uniforms were worn, but presumabaly for nationalist reasons, we see few in Britain and Germany.

Origins

An observer writes, "Boy's clothing of the Moorish-styled Zouave pantaloons and jackets first appeared in France in the 1840s and 50s, but rapidly migrated to England and America. With the rise of Elmer Ellsworth's Zouave Cadet Units, in America, in the late-1850s, the desire for Zouave styled clothing also rose. Throughout the war years, Zouave jackets were worn as a show of patriotism. Boys wanted to wear military styled clothing and the stories of bravery and heroism that were printed about the Zouave units added to the popularity. Illustrations appeared in the many of the publications of the day showing young lads dressed in these uniforms, much like this one from La Mode Illustree in 1861." [Harriman] It is seems increadable that Civil War soldierts were outfitted in this style, but they were. A good example is Federal mmusician, Thomas Camp. Most were Federal units, but there were Confederate Zouaves as well. Not as many, but they did exist.

Chronology

Zouave fashions were known in America before thevCivil war because Amerivans followed French fashion. It had no real impact until the Civil War when quite a number of units were outfitted in Zouave outfits. In =vairbly boys were also outfitted in Zouave outfits. A good example are two American boys, Charles and Harland Russell, during the 1860s. Most of our examples come from the Civil War era. We not only see these outfits during the Civil War, however, for two decades after the War, probably involving Civil War veterns outfitting their boys in Zouave outfits. Interestingly, it is not just during the Civil War that boys were dressed up in Zouave unforms. For example, the New York boy on the previous page in 1883 is a good example. We are not sure how to exalain the continuing influence of the Zouave fashion. We are not even sure if mother or father is responsible. We might understand this immediateky followeing the Civil War, but ir continued into the 1880s and 90s. Perhaps colorful reports from French military operations in North Africa were a factor. We note Monthomery Ward offering Zouace suits (1895).