Figure 1.--This portrait was taken about the turn-of-the 20th century. They look to be three generations. All three are wearing dark suits and white shirts and ties. The two men wear hats and the teenagers wears a cap, set sportily on the back of his head.

Men and boys both wore caps and hats, especially in the 19th century. Generally speaking men wore hats rather than caps. The two major exceptions are soldiers and workers. Here there were social class factors involved. Boys likewise wore caps and hats. Boys commonly, however, were more likely to wear caps. We see younger boys wearing hats, primarily sailor hats. We also see older boys wearing various styles of hats such as boaters at the turn-of-the 20th century. But the great bulk of the photographic record shows boys wearing caps. American boys in the 19th century wore military caps and sailor caps. There were also various styles of cold weather caps. We note peaked caps and flat caps in the early 20th century. Headwear became less common after Wotld War II. ment wearher wear. The one major exception is baseball caps which eventually became fashion statements that had nothing to do with game of baseball.

Created: 12:56 AM 9/29/2007
Last updated: 12:56 AM 9/29/2007