Figure 1.-- This Civil War era collodion print shows several unidentified Federal officers and an orderly/buggle boy in Washington, D.C. There seems to be one naval officer. We are not sure what the one light-colored uniform represents. We think that they are standing outside their boarding house. The boy in front is probably the son of the lady running the boarding house. Notice his Glengary and patterned shirt, sometimes woirn as a kind of tunic. We do not have a date, but would guess the portrait was taken about 1862. It may be a Matthew Brady portrait.

We believe that Glengaries first appeared in America during the the 1850s, but our archive is too limited to build a definitive time line yet. We are, however, working on it and are collecting information. The poularity of the CDV abd cabinent card allows us to follow this in some detail as both appeared shortly after the Glengary became as fashion item in America. We note several in the 1860s, but we believe that they were first worn by Americn boys in the 50s. The boys here in the early 60s is a good example. He is wearing a tunic with a pattern somewhat like plasid. As this photograph was taken during the Civil war in the early-60s, we suspect tht Glengaries were also worn in the 50s. Apparently more with tunics than any kind of kilt outfit. We see the caps throughout the rest of the 19th century, especially with Scottish outfits. Most of the Glenarieas we see based on our prelininary assessmennt appear during the 1860s-80s period and after the 60s, mostly with kilt suits. Thus the popularity of the Glengary was basically associated wiyth the popularity of the kilt suit. The kilt suit was a major style for American boys for the rest of the century. Actually the kilt suits were more popular than the Glengaries. Unlike Highland outfits, kilt suits were worn with a varity of headwear. But Glengaries were a popular choice. With the turn of the 20th century, the kilt suit goes out of style and we also no longer see Glengaries.

Created: 5:45 PM 9/14/2015
Last updated: 5:45 PM 9/14/2015