** fabrics for boys' clothing: velvet garments








Fabrics Used in Boys' Clothing: Velvet Garments


Figure 1.--Here we see n unidentified English boy wearing a velvet cut-away jacket knee pants suit, we think in the 1860s. We see quite a number of younger boys wearing velvet suits at the time. This was two decades beore the Fauntleroy Craze.

A range of different garments have been made from velvet. While many garments have velvet trim, a smaller range of garments were made entirely or largely in velvet. Some of the best known are skeleton and Fauntkleroy suits. We have also notice dress rompers in velvet. And junior Eton suits are sometimes done in velvet. Younger boys might wear velvet dresses, just like their sisters. These of course would be the best dresses, often for party wear. In the late 19th Century, younger boys might wear Fauntleroy dresses, velvet dresses with lace and ruffle trim. Until the late 19th Century there was little difference between the dresses worn by boys and girls. Destinctive, plainer styles appeared fpor nboys in the late 19th Century, but the Fauntleroy craze was so popular that some mothers preferred the fancier dresses for their boys.The first purpose made child's outfit was the skeleton suit. It was style widely worn in the early0-19th century. Particularly expensive skeleton suits were made of velvet. Both the jacket and pants were made of velvet, both one and two piece styles. The Fauntleroy suit was one of the first American fashions. Until this time, America children wi=ore European style. The Fauntleroy Craze had an enormous impact. Velvet of various colors, usually dark, was commonly used in the late 19th-century to produce better boys' party suits, especially Little Lord Fautntleoy suits. Both the jacket and kneepants were made from velvet. In the 20th Century boys dress suits are sometimes made of velvet, especially suits for small boys. It is particularly popular for boys suits around the Christmas holiday season. Most commonly os these outfits were junior Eton suits, often they were short pants suits. Both the jacket and shorts might be velvet, but in some cases just the jacket.

Dresses

Younger boys might wear velvet dresses, just like their sisters. These of course would be the best dresses, often for party wear. In the late 19th Century, younger boys might wear Fauntleroy dresses, velvet dresses with lace and ruffle trim. Until the late 19th Century there was little difference between the dresses worn by boys and girls. Destinctive, plainer styles appeared fpor nboys in the late 19th Century, but the Fauntleroy craze was so popular that some mothers preferred the fancier dresses for their boys.

Suits

The first specilized boys' clothing made from velvet was the skeleton suit. The first purpose made child's outfit was the skeleton suit. It was style widely worn in the early0-19th century. Particularly expensive skeleton suits were made of velvet. Both the jacket and pants were made of velvet, both one and two piece styles. The most commonly associated style associated with velvet are the fancy Little Lord Fauntleroy party suits made primarily for small boys. The Fauntleroy suit was one of the first American fashions. Until this time, America children wi=ore European style. The Fauntleroy Craze had an enormous impact. Velvet of various colors, usually dark, was commonly used in the late 19th-century to produce better boys' party suits, especially Little Lord Fauntleroy suits. Both the jacket and knee pants were made from velvet. Modern boys have worn fancy suits, many one-piece suits with lace and velvet trim. Almost all were short pants outfits, some styles like rompers. Slightly older boys might wear velvet Eton suits for formal occasuions and holidays. Some boys' choirs had velvet performance costumes. They were not generally popular with the boys and most choirs now have less fancy costumes.In the 20th Century boys dress suits are sometimes made of velvet, especially suits for small boys. It is particularly popular for boys suits around the Christmas holiday season. Most commonly os these outfits were junior Eton suits, often they were short pants suits. Both the jacket and shorts might be velvet, but in some cases just the jacket.

Other Garments

We notice a range of other gaments done in velvet. Two such garments were romper suits and shorttalls. These of course were the dressy versions of these suits which were more commomy play outfits. The rompersuits were more common in Europe. The shortalls were more of an American garment.

Trim

We notice coats and jackets wih velvet trim. This was generally but not exclisively on the collar. We see this in America and England into the 1960s. There is a definite social class factor here. We are less sure about other countries, including contries with substantial photogrphic recorda. We have not yet, foe exmple, found examples in Germany, but that does not mean of course that they did not exist.







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Created: May 5, 1999
Last updated: 1:01 AM 2/14/2015