Figure 1.--These boys were photographed at the Angell studio in Saganaw, Michigan. ost of the boys wear knee psnts suits. the older boy wears long pants. This show the general pattern prevlent in the 1880s. The cabinety card portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 880s. One clue is the flag. The blue star field looks like the 38-star flag interoduced in 1877. It was no replacecd until1890 when five new states were added.

Boys wore suits as atandard garment in the 1880s. Knee pants became an increasingly important type of pants for boys as the 19h century progressed, especially younger boys in urban areas. Norfolk styling was popular. And Little Lord Fauntleroy suits appeared for younger boys. Both were worn with knee pants. Knee pants were very widely worn by the 1880s, but still by younger boys at the begiining of the decade. We see more and more boys wearing knee pnts as the decade progressed. By the end of the decade, most younger boys in cities were wearing knee pants, teenagers even younger teenagers still wore long pants. Knee pants were less common in rural areas, especially for older boys. A few boys wore knickers, but straight-legs knee panrs were much more common. The Gauntleroy Craze began at mid decade. This was predominately a style for younger boys, especially the classic style with a cut-away jacket. American boys almost always wore Fauntleroy suits with knee pants. Sailor suits were also popular. We see them worn with both knee pants and long pants. Knickers were less common with sailor suits.

Created: 12:57 AM 2/19/2012
Last updated: 12:57 AM 2/19/2012