Figure 1.--This CDV portrait is undated, but we believe it was taken in the 1870s. We do know that the portrait was taken at a Berlin studio. The boys all wear identical velvet suits with cut-away jackets. Note the embroidery and trim on the jacket and knickers. Also note that the older boy has a rounded collar while the younger boys have pointed collars. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

This CDV portrait is undated, but we believe it was taken in the 1870s. We do know that the portrait was taken at a Berlin studio. The boys all wear identical suits with cut-away jackets and matching vests (waistcoats). The suits looks to be made in velvet, an expensive material. Note the embroidery and trim on the jacket and knickers. There is a kind of tree design on both the sleeve cuffs and knicker pants. Also note that the older boy has a rounded collar while the younger boys have pointed collars. We are not sure if this was accidental or on purpose, but give the fact that absolutely all other aspects of their outfit is idential, the small collar difference does stand out. The boys even have the same socks and identical, rather modern looking low-cut oxford-style shoes.

The Portrait

This is a CDV portrait. It was taken at a Berlin studio, Lutze & Witte, Berlin "im Aquarium Gebaude".

Chronology

is undated, but we believe it was taken in the 1870s. That is based on the CDV back style and the stle of clothes worn by the boys. It is possible that it could have been taken in the late 1860s, but we do not think it was taken in the 80s.

The Brothers

Unfortunately we do not know the name of these boys. These boys as they are dressed alike almost certainly are brothers. They look to be born very close together. We would estimate that they are about 6-10 years in age. They may have also had sisters. Sometimes parents in large families had some portraits made of the brothers and sisters separately. Given the fact that they are wearing expensive velvet suits, we believe that they came from an affluent family. One interesting aspect of this portrait is how close the boys are which is obvioys from the pose.

The Suits

The boys all wear identical suits. All have cut-away jackets buttoned at the collar. This is a style that we have noted since the 1850s. It was also a major characteristic of the classic Fauntleroy jacket. Notice the breast pockets in the jackets. Unlike Fauntleroy suits, these boys wear matching vests (waistcoats). Note how all the buttons on the vest are buttoned. The suits looks to be made in velvet, an expensive material. We are not positive what color the velvet was. It could have been balck, but dark shades of blue, brown, green, or burgandy are also popssible. Note the embroidery and trim on the jacket and knickers. There is a kind of tree design on both the sleeve cuffs and knicker pants. We at forst thought this was largely ornamental. A HBC reader writes, "Do you think the patches on the knees was so that when they played the knees were not ruined? Sort of like double knees on clothes from the 1920s and 1930s. Also reminds me of the patches sewn into or ironed on the knee by American mothers in the 1950s." This could have well been the case. Of course these suits were probabbly the boys' best suits and only worn for special occassions. Another HBC reader writes, "I think the embroidery work on the knees and cuffs is purely decorative, but I can see how it could serve a dual purpose if (and that's a big IF) the boys were allowed to crawl around in their best clothes - but then boys will be boys."

Collars

Also note that the older boy has a rounded collar while the younger boys have pointed collars. We are not sure if this was accidental or on purpose, but give the fact that absolutely all other aspects of their outfit is idential, the small collar difference does stand out. We note that boys might wear the same suit for several years, but his growing maturity be reflected in collar or neckwear style. Usually the differences are much more prounounced than the very small collar difference seen here. Regarding different collars, as boys grew older they not only progressed to different styles of suits, but also of collars. There are many examples of these trends on HBC. See for example 1870s English brothers.

Hosiery

The boys even wear the same socks. I am not sure what color they may have been. I am also not sure what length they were. Shortened pants were just becoming the standard for boys in the 1870s. Before mid-century, long trousers were more common. These shortened pants were much more common for children from affluent families in the 1860s and 70s, by the 80s theywere becoming the standard for working-class boys as well. The shortened trousers wirn in the 1870s were worn at or below knee length. Thus there was no need for especially long stockings. These may well have been knee length, but we are not sure. Nor are we sure that boys at the time wore stocking supporters as was quite common by the end of the century.

Shoes

The boys identical, rather modern looking low-cut oxford-style shoes. They look to b brown shoes, not a very good color match for the suits. High-top shoes were much more common at th time. I'm not sure just what wearing these low-cut shoes sihnified. I believe that they were much more common in affluent families.

German Chronolog: Late 19th Century

The Germans by the end of the century were dressing children in a similar manner to other European countries. The sailor suit was one of the most popular styles trough Europe and it was particularly popular in Germany. The marriage of one of the Queen Victoria's daugters to the German royal family influenced German fashion, although she was always considered a foreigner and Bismark limited her influence over the upbringing of the future Kaiser. I do not believe that the kilt was commonly worn, but Fauntleroy suits were worn, although not as much as in France and Italy. Some of the available images of German clothes in the 1870s look quite similar to styles we have seen in England and France, velvet suits, cut away jackets, and bloomer knickers. We also notice German boys wearing tunic suits. One boy in the 1870s wears a ruffled collar with his tunic suit, but we are not certain how common that was. We note images of German Fauntleroy suits from the 1890s. Boys' clothing in general, however, does appear have been similar to the rest of western Europe, but I hope to eventually obtain much more information on German dress trends in the future. I do not know of any destinctive German styles worn by boys, except for folk costumes. We note an interest in folk costuming beginning in the late 19th century, with many German partents dressing children in folk costumes for special occassions.

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Created: April 30, 2003
Last updated: April 30, 2003