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Color is an important aspect of fashion. Using primarily 19th and early-20th century black and white photographs, however, obviously presents problems in assessing color. By the time color photography was perfected, sailor suits had largely gone out of style. We know that he standard colors were white and blue. This follow from from the colors of naval uniforms. Of course we can tell from the black and white photographs that white was an important color. A sightly off white might meaning very light color, but with England was almost always white. And we know that blue was a major color used in sailor suits because they were primarily based on naval uniforms. Of course blue and white would be the predominant colors. We mostly see dark colors which probably was navy blue, meaning dark blue. It is impossible to differentiate navy blue from black in old photographs. We do note lighter blues being used in the sailor trim as we see here (figure 1). The color difference also meant seasonal and material differences. White sailor suits were commonalty made in lighter fabric for summer wear. Dark blue sailor suits were commonly made in heavier material for winter wear. We note blue and white in other countries, especially America. as well, although we also note many more colors. The primary non-standard color was red, but here were other colors. None compared to the popularity of white and blue. What we can not tell is just what the dark colors in the old photographs were. Surely they were usually blue. But they were not always blue. Assessing these dark colors is very complicated. We do not know how common these non-blue or non-traditional colors were in England. We suspect they were not as common as in America, but we can't confirm that with our relatively limited information.
Color is an important aspect of fashion. Using primarily 19th and early-20th century black and white photographs, however, obviously presents problems in assessing color. By the time color photography was perfected, sailor suits had largely gone out of style. There is some color information available, however, to help understand sailor suit colors in the 19th and early-20th centuries. This includes paintings, fashion magazines, colorized portraits, advances in lithography, and surviving vintage clothing.
We know that the standard colors were white and blue. This follow from from the colors of actual naval uniforms. Of course we can tell from the black and white photographs that white was an important color. White is easy to identify. A sightly off white could a very light color, but with England these white-looking suits were almost always white. The white suits were usually done with blue trim and added blue or black scarf. The dark colors are a little more complicated. We know that blue was a major color used in sailor suits because they were primarily based on naval uniforms. Of course blue and white would be the predominant colors. The dark colors we see thus almost certainly means navy blue, meaning dark blue. It is impossible, however, to differentiate navy blue from black and other dark colors in old photographs. For sailor suits we are probably safe in assuming a dark color meant navy blue. With other outfits such as Fauntleroy suits, we are less safe because the suits were made in several dark colors. We note black being used in some countries for sailor outfits. And it is impossible to differentiate navy blue from black in these old photographs. We are not sure about Britain. We think back sailor suits were rare, but we cannot yet confirm this. We do note lighter blues being used in the sailor trim as we see here (figure 1).
Different materials might be used for the sailor suit blouse and pants. Light shirting fabric was usually used for the blouse. And a heavier fabric might be used for the pants. This was commonly reflected in the color, white for the blouse and navy blue for the pants. For some reason this combination was much less common in Britain than on the Continent.
The color difference also meant seasonal and material differences. White sailor suits were commonalty made in lighter fabric for summer wear. Notice the light-weight fabric in the boy's white sailor suit here (figure 1). Dark blue sailor suits were commonly made in heavier material for winter wear. Here there was no clear divide. It does not get as cold in Britain as on the Continent. There are plenty of days that do not classify as cold winter or warm summer weather. .
We note blue and white in other countries as well, although we also note many more colors. The primary non-standard color was red, but there were other colors. We note this in America, especially after the turn-of-the 20tb century. None compared of these non-standard colors compared to the popularity of white and blue. What we can not tell is just what the dark colors in the old photographs were. Surely they were usually blue. But they were not always blue. Assessing these dark colors is very complicated. We do not know how common these non-blue or non-traditional colors were in England. We suspect they were not as common as in America, but we can't confirm that with our relatively limited information.
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