Figure 1.--This 19th century tuntype is unidentified. The drum nd side hair part almost certainly identified the child as a boy. He looks to be about 5 years old. The dress has a wide white collar, diagional tunic styling and back waistline tie strings. Notice his straw hat. The portrait is undated, but the white stockings suggest the 1870s to us. By this time, kilt suits were more common for 5-year old than desses.

Most boys were breeched by age 5 years, but in the 19th century until the end if the century we continue to see may boys that were not breeched. We suspect they alo wore blouses and skirts, but that is less apparent from the photographic record. Tunics were another popular skirted garment and unlike dresses, a garment that boys continued to wear when they began school, especially in the early-19th century. We note then wearing dresses and by the 1870s we notie kilt suits. With the appearance of kilt suits there were fewer boys wearing dresses, especially 4 and 5 year olds. Boys after age 5 years, began school. This became the standard convention by the 1870s. Before this the 5-6 year old age shift was not as importanht in determining boys' fashions. Thus 5 years became the last age that 19th century mothers mothers had virtual total control over the children and how they were dressed. Boys that were not breeched by age 5 year, were mostly breeched when they turned 6 years. During the 1890s we begin to see fewet boys including 5 year olds wearing dresses. We are not etirely sure why., The popularity of the kilt suit and Fauntkeroy suit wee probanle factors. We do see tunic suits beconing very popular at the turn-of-the 20th century. Many 5 year olds wore them. We can tell that 5age 5 years was the last year that skirted garments were very important for American boys. Not only do we see far fewer imnages of 6 year olds, but we rarely see the skirted garmnts in the school photographs we have archived.

Created: 1:52 AM 6/15/2012
Last updated: 1:53 AM 6/15/2012