Figure 1.-- This undated Amnerican CDV was probably taken in the 1860s. Note the use of blue and grey which were popular for boys even in the 1860s. Notice the girl's brown dress and plain white pantalettes, but of course we are not sure this is a girl. This leads us to an interesting question, were boy dresses done in different colors than girl dresses? Unfortunastely this is a difficult subject to address because of the black-and-white photography of the day. This was a hand-colorized (tinted) image which altthough beautifully done means it is not a definative piece of evidence, but strongly suggests these colors were popular.

Our information on color in American boys is incomplete at this time. The popularity of some colors have notably changed over time, but some basic colors includuing brown, blue, and grey seem pronounced over time--at least since the 19th century. Of course, information on 19th century colors are limited by the black and white phpotography of the day. Fauntleroy suits were often black, but the black and white photography of the day effectively hide deep blue, burgandy, dark brown, and forrest green suits. Blue appears to have been a particularly popular color, both navy blue and other shades. There are a great range of blue shades. We know boys commonly wore dark blues, but we are less sure about light blues. Of course sailor suits were commonly navy blue. Blue suits and especially navy blue blazers beocme standard in the 20th century. We note many other colors in the 19th century. The suits sold in the late 19th and early 20th century included a lot of green and brown shades. We also note black and grey suits in the 20th century. The modern color conventions of blue for boys and pink for boys does not seem to have been firmly established at the turn of the 20th century. We do not see it universally accepted until after World War I (1914-18). Preppy fashions of the 1950s help popularize pastel shirts and khaki pants. And of course by the 1970s we see both color adverising and color photography that provide us detailed information about color and fashion.

Chronology

Our information on color in American boys is incomplete at this time. The popularity of some colors have notably changed over time, but some basic colors includuing brown, blue, and grey seem pronounced over time--at least since the 19th century. Of course, information on 19th century colors are limited by the blacks and white phpotography of the day.

Shades

We see American boys wearing a variety of colors. The most common seem to be black, blue, brown, and grey. We note a brown tunic suit in 1837. Girls also wore brown. The girl here with a redish brown dress is a good example. Fauntleroy suits were often black, but the black and white photography of the day effectively hide deep blue, burgandy, dark brown, and forrest green suits. Blue appears to have been a particularly popular color, both navy blue and other shades. There are a great range of blue shades. We notuce a medium blue kilt suit. We know boys commonly wore dark blues, but we are less sure about light blues. Of course sailor suits were commonly navy blue. Blue suits and especially navy blue blazers beocme standard in the 20th century. We note many other colors in the 19th century. The suits sold in the late 19th and early 20th century included a lot of green and brown shades. We also note black and grey suits in the 20th century. Here we see a boy wearing blue and grey (figure 1). The modern color conventions of blue for boys and pink for boys does not seem to have been firmly established at the turn of the 20th century. We do not see it universally accepted until after World War I (1914-18). Preppy fashions of the 1950s help popularize pastel shirts and khaki pants. And of course by the 1970s we see both color adverising and color photography that provide us detailed information about color and fashion.

Gender

Specific Garments

We have some American color pages for specific garments. This is a topic we have not yet developed in detail. We do have a color page on Fauntleroy suits, sailor suits, and tunic suit.

Created: 4:50 AM 6/9/2011
Last updated: 5:47 AM 6/23/2011