** fabrics for boys' clothing: velvet couhtries








Fabrics Used in Boys' Clothing: Velvet--Countries


Figure 1.--Here we see two unidentified English brothers with their trusty pooch. We can imagine the fun they had together. The boys wear outfits with coordinated Fauntleroy touches. The boys lookk to be about 4-7 years of age. The younger boy wears a velvet tunic with matching knee pants and ruffled collar. His hair is done in ringlets. We are mot sure that is after a few days aor the look mother intended, but byou never see an American boy in ringlets looking like that.) His older brother wears a collar buttoning kickers velvet suit with the same ruffled collar. The poorttait is undated, but based on greyish-grenn mount we neklieve was taken in 1910.

We notice boys in several countries wearing velvet suits and other garments. So far most of the images we have found are American, British, and French. We have foujnd wquite a fewe examples from these countruis. Quite a few of the American examples are Fauntleroy suits. We have also dound many British examples with a Wide range of styles. Fancy velvet suits for French boys was apparently Mrs Burnetts inspiraion for Little Lord Fauntleroy. We have also noted velvet suits and other garments in several other countries. This is partly because of the popularity of Fauntleroy styling. But we see velvet garments in other countries and other garments as well. One example os Serbia where we see velvet suits.

America

The most common velvet garment worn by American boys was the Little Lord Fauntleroy suits. Thee suiyts wityh elaborate trimmings were immensly popular in America during the late-19th century. We see countless examples of small and not so small boys in the photograohic record. Not all Fauntleroy suits were done in velvet, but most of the better ones were. Many other garments were done in velvet, including sailor suits. Most sailor suits were done in other material varying seasonslly, but wee do see velvet sailor suits. Some of the junior Eton suits popular in the 20th century were done in velvet. e also see velvet being used for trimm on coats and jackets.

England

Our English archive is not as large as our Anerican archive, but we notice quite a few portraits of English boys wearing velvet suits -- more than any other country besides America. They could actually have been more ciommin un ngkand. (American trends can be misleading because the photigraphic record is so much larger.)In addition to the photographic record, we also notice catalog offerings. We hace found party suits done in velvet (1925).

France

Fancy velvet suits for French boys was apparently Mrs Burnetts inspiraion for Little Lord Fauntleroy.







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Created: 2:35 AM 12/4/2021
Last updated: 2:35 AM 12/4/2021