Early Velvet Suits: Various Styles

Figure 1.--This American boy was photographed in an early Fauntleroy suit, probably in the mid 1870s. The jacket is quite different from a Fauntleroy jacket. The lace collar, however, is a clear pre-cursor of te Fauntleroy style. The bow, however, harkens back to the 1860s.

The first velvet boy's suit was probably the skeleton suit. We are not sure when velvet jackets with matching trousers were first made. It is likely that they first appeared in the 1850s or 60s. They were made in a wide variety of styles. The earliest image that HBC currently has dates to the 1870s. These suits differe from the classical Fauntleroy suit in several different ways. They were not worn with the elaborate lace and ruffled trim and enormous bows and collars. The jackets were also larger, generally covering the blouse. There were some suits, however, which seem to be precurosors of the Fauntleroy styles. Some early velvet suits were worn with lace and ruffled trim, but not in the sort jackets of the classic Fauntleroy suit.

Standard Styles

The standard suit probably evolved from the skeleton suit. We are not sure when velvet jackets with matching trousers were first made. It is likely that they first appeared in the 1850s or 60s. HBC notes them in the 1850s and they have a rather modern look. The earliest image that HBC currently has dates to the 1870s. These suits differed from the classical Fauntleroy suit in several different ways. They were not worn with the elaborate lace and ruffled trim and enormous bows and collars. The jackets were also larger, generally covering the blouse.

Fancy Styles

Boys' suits at mid-century were made in a variety of fancy styles. They were made in a wide variety of styles.

Fauntleroy Pre-cursors

There were some suits, however, which seem to be precurosors of the Fauntleroy styles. Some early velvet suits were worn with lace and ruffled trim, but not in the sort jackets of the classic Fauntleroy suit.

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Created: May 15, 1999
Last updated: May 15, 2001