Figure 1.--This Anerican cabinet shiows an unidentified brotherv and sister photographed in 1897. They look to be about 4-8 years old. The little girl a dess wth no wauisline and huge infkated sleeves. Her big brither wears a double breasted knee pants suit. The both swear black long stockings. The studio was H.J?. Adams in West Gardner, Massachusetts.

Throughout the 19th century it became more and more common for Americn boys to wear suits, largely because of the country's spectacular economic success. Parents could not only affrd to dress better, but also their children better. This seems particularly notable in the 1860s which we know a great deal about because this was when the CDV appeared, hugely increasing the number of photographic images allowing us to follow fashion trends better than ever before. We see double breasted suits in the early-19h century. Some skeleton suits were done with double-breasted tops, but we have few images. At mid-century when photography begins to provide increasing number of images, collar buttoning jackets were dominant. We note double-breasted jackets in the late-19th century. We are not yet sure about the chronology, but have begun to develop some basic information. We do not yet have examples from the 1860s, but do see them in the 1870s. They were widely worn for many years. Double-breasted like single-breasted jackets varied in popularity over time. They seem especially popular at the turn-of-the 20th century. Wevsee many of thee jackts with very similar styling in both the 1890sn and 1900s decades. Both single- and double-breasted suits were worn, but double-beaasted jackets were very popular. Remember that even in the 1890s most Americans still lived in rural areas. We see that in both the photographic record and mail order catalogs that had become so popular. The Massachusetts boy here is a good example (1897, figire 1). The unidentified boy on the previous page is another good example (1899).

The 1800s

We see double breasted suits in the early-19h century. Some skeleton suits were done with double-breasted tops, but without photography we have few images.

The 1840s

At mid-century when photography begins to provide increasing number of images, collar buttoning jackets were dominant.

The 1860s

Throughout the 19th century it became more and more common for Americn boys to wear suits, largely because of the country's spectacular economic success. Parents could not only affrd to dress better, but also their children better. This seems particularly notable in the 1860s which we know a great deal about because this was when the CDV appeared, hugely increasing the number of photographic images allowing us to follow fashion trends better than ever before.

The 1870s

We note double-breasted jackets in the late-19th century. We are not yet sure about the chronology, but have begun to develop some basic information. We do not yet have examples from the 1860s, but do see them in the 1870s. They were widely worn for many years. Double-breasted like single-breasted jackets varied in popularity over time.

The 1880s

We see quite a number of double-breasted suits in the 1880s. Agood example is an unidentified Pittsburg boy who had his portrait taken about 1889.

The 1890s

They seem especially popular at the turn-of-the 20th century. Wevsee many of thee jackts with very similar styling in both the 1890sn and 1900s decades. Both single- and double-breasted suits were worn, but double-beaasted jackets were very popular. Remember that even in the 1890s most Americans still lived in rural areas. We see that in both the photographic record and mail order catalogs that had become so popular. The Massachusetts boy here is a good examole (1897, figire 1). The unidentified boy on the previous page is another good example (1899).

Created: 2:13 AM 9/4/2024
Last updated: 1:58 AM 10/29/2024