Figure 1.--This boy's name was Mike. HBC estimates that this portrait was made in the early 1920s for a recital, although he may have been a minor prodigy. Unfortuntaley we have no information on the orovinamve of this portrait, except that it is probably American. For a more detailed analysis of the boy's outfit, click on the image. Image courtesy of the RS collection.

The Fauntleroy suit was a 19th century fashion thay continued into the early 20th century. Actuaal Fauntleroy suits were not commonly seen after World War I (1914-18), the style began to be seen as frivolous. We do, however, notice boys outfists that have eklements of the Fauntleroy style, especailly during the early 1920s. Mothers often used such styling in the early 1920s, although by the end of the decade more standard suits styles had become more common for at reciatals. Fortunately, many mothers dressing their sons in fancy outfits wanted to preserve a record of their young prodigies, so there are many portraits available of such outfits. As the Fauntleroy suit had gone out of style, these outfits are quite individualistic and demonstrate considerable creativity on the part of the motther. The outfits might employ a number of juvenile styles such as klarge collars, bows, short pants, button-on styling, and strap shoes. HBC suspects that the the oitfits were made by the mothers involved rather than purchased in a store. as opposed to the classic Fauntleroy suit, these outfits have a look of outfits that were worn specifically for the recital, but perhaps not for other dress occasions like parties and church--but HBC is not positive about this.

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Created: October 10, 2001
Last updated: October 10, 2001