Figure 1.--This family snap shot shows three brothers with their trike and bikes, we think in the early-1950s. The boys are wearing suits and overcoats with matching peaked caps. The are Stephn (4 1/2 years old), Greg (7 1/2), and Donney (6).

We see far more American boys wearing peaked caps during the 20th century, especially during the early 20th century. They were not as popular as in Britain, but we see many examples. The cap did not have a school association as in Britain, although it was worn at quite a number of American private schools--albeit without all the varied colors. With the 20th century do we get large numbers of family snapshots and other photography showing children in real life circumstances. At the turn-of-the 20th century, the Kodak Brownie makes the family snapshot a staple. We see that the peaked cap was one of several types of caps that boys worn at the time. All had peaks, but the crowns varied. There were a range of different styles including these peaked caps, flat caps, and various other cap stypes. We also notice flat caps and Oliver Twist caps. These caps were worn by a wide range of boys with little or no class connotations. Flat caps in the early-20th century were just beginning to become standard. Oliver Twist caps disappeared in the 1910s. Peaked caps persisted, but with a shift in the image. Flat caps becme the standard cap for american boys during two decades (1910s-20s). The peaked cap became a kind of dress cap for pre-teen boys from affluent families. By the 1920s we see younger boys wearing peaked caps with suits, both Eton suis and lapel jackets. They were usually done in black or grey. The peaked cap maintained this image into the 1960s. By the 1970s it became primarily a cap worn by todlers or slightly older pre-school boys with Eton suits for formal events like weddings and by the end of the century were rarely seen.

The 1900s

We see peaked caps in the late-19th century. There were far more American boys wearing peaked caps during the 20th century, especially during the early-20th century. They were not as popular as in Britain, but we see many examples. The cap did not have a school association as in Britain, although it was worn at quite a number of American private schools--albeit without all the varied colors. and patterns. With the 20th century do we get large numbers of family snapshots and other photography showing children in real life circumstances. At the turn-of-the 20th century, the Kodak Brownie makes the family snapshot a staple. We see that the peaked cap was one of several types of caps that boys worn at the time. All had peaks, but the crowns varied. There were a range of different styles including these peaked caps, flat caps, and various other cap styles. We also notice flat caps and Oliver Twist caps. These caps were worn by a wide range of boys with little or no class connotations. Flat caps in the early-20th century were just beginning to become standard. We note some peaked caps with very small peaks.

The 1910s

Thev flat cap became standard for american boys in thE 1910s. Oliver Twist caps disappeared in the 1910s. Peaked caps persisted, but with a shift in the image. Flat caps becme the standard cap for american boys during two decades (1910s-20s). The peaked cap became a kind of dress cap for pre-teen boys from affluent families.

The 1920s

By the 1920s we see younger boys wearing peaked caps with suits, both Eton suis and lapel jackets. They were usually done in black or grey.

The 1960s

The peaked cap maintained this image into the 1960s. By the 1970s it became primarily a cap worn by todlers or slightly older pre-school boys with Eton suits for formal events like weddings. >br>

The 1990s

By the end of the century were rarely seen.

Created: 5:49 AM 9/14/2015
Last updated: 3:49 AM 8/3/2024