Figure 1.--Note the sash worn by this boy, who I believe is French, around the turn of the century. Rather than hanging low, his sash it tied in a distinctive bow. It is a white sash distinguishing it from the colored sashes more common before the turn of the century.

Sashes for boys are generally associated with the Cavelier costumes of the 17th century. I don't have any specific details on the sashes worn during this era, but would appreciate any infomation readers may have. The work of Van Dyck and other artists appear to have been the primary inspiration, but the clothes depicted were those of adult men--not children. Sashes were revived in the late 19th century. In the mid-1880s, they were incorporated in the fancier Little Lord Fauntleroy velvet suits. The suits were generally black or dark colors (blues, greens, or burgandies). The sash could thus be the one bright spash of color in an otherwise colorless outfit. The colors varies, but were sometimes a bright red with black suits. The colored suits might have bright shades of the color involved. I do not know of white sashes worn with the dark-colored velvet suits to any extent before the turn of the century. The sash actually was the most masculine part of the Fauntleroy suit. It was worn differently than the sashes on dresses. In fact, it was worn rather like the sashes worn on some dress military uniforms. The sash with a Fauntleroy suit was worn at various lengths. One common length was down to just above the knee and hem of the knee pants.

Cavelier Styles

Sashes for boys are generally associated with the Cavelier costumes of the 17th century. I don't have any specific details on the sashes worn during this era, but would appreciate any infomation readers may have. The work of Van Dyck and other artists appear to have been the primary inspiration, but the clothes depicted were those of adult men--not children.

Formal Element

Most boys wore Fauntleroy suits without a sash. It was an addition for very formal occassions. It also would have been expensice as it it took quite a bit of rather expensive fabric, Mother wouldhve added a sash only for special occassions or perhaps a portrit. We see relatiely few in the photographic record, but they were not rare. A good example is an unidetified California boy.

Fabric

Color in Fauntleroy suits

Sashes were revived in the late 19th century with the appearance of Fauntleroy suits. In the mid-1880s, they were incorporated in the fancier Little Lord Fauntleroy velvet suits. The suits were generally black or dark colors (blues, greens, or burgandies). The sash could thus be the one bright spash of color in an otherwise colorless outfit. The colors varies, but were sometimes a bright red with black suits. The colored suits might have bright shades of the color involved. I do not know of white sashes worn with the dark-colored velvet suits to any extent before the turn of the century.

Masucline Feature

The sash actually was the most masculine part of the Fauntleroy suit. It was worn differently than the sashes on dresses. In fact, it was worn rather like the sashes worn on some dress military uniforms.

Lengths

The sash with a Fauntleroy suit was worn at various lengths. One common length was down to just above the knee and hem of the kneepants.

Chronology

ashes were sometimes worn with the Fauntleroy suits during the classic period. It was probably added for particularly special events. It allowed the mother to change the boy's look by varying different sashes. The boy's waist was encircled by a silk or satin sash. The long edges of the sash were seamed, and the ends were gathered up closely and, often finished with tassels. The sash to be worn properly was knotted on the left side, and fell to uneven depths. Fauntleroy sashes at the turn of the century became more varied. Some mothers replaced the colored sashes with elegant white sashes. Also instead of vertical sashes falling to to the knee, some mothers instead tied bows at waist level with the sashes. This was similar to the waist sashes often incorporated with the dresses worn by little boys and girls. After the first decade of the 20th century, it became increasingly less common to wear sashes with Fauntleroy suits. Some all white suits were worn with white sashes at the turn of the century. A picture of Swedish statesman and U.N. Secretary General shows him in an elaborate white suit with white sash and hair bow.

Country Trends

Sashes may have been more common for European boys wearing Fauntleroy suits. We can not yet, however, confirm this.

Created: March 30, 1999
Last updated: 5:38 PM 3/1/2009