Barefoot Boys: Garment Background Information


Figure 1.--Here we see boys at some kind of formal function. The younger boys are all barefoot. They wear fancy, quite large ruffled collars with kneepants and go barefoot. The image is undated, but we would guess about 1905.

Some background information is needed in assessing the images of barefoot boys in the early 20th century. These factors pertain to all the dressy or more formal outfits worn by boys. Studio photographic protraits taken in the late 19th century rarely showed boys wearing suits without shoes. We believe that this was because the boys were dressed up for their portraits. Some of the boys in these portraits almost certainly went barefoot in the summer. We believe that this was especially true in the south and west in rural areas and small towns. It is usually difficult to tell and most of these images are not labeled. The background, however, can offer some clues. We believe that the boys in these photographs showing the boys going barefoot was the way they actually dressed. This was not just for play and around the house, but for school or even going to church. It is possible that boys took their shoes and socks off after church, but we would have thought that if they had done so, that they would have taken their dressoutfits off as well.

Chronology

Studio photographic protraits taken in the late 19th century rarely showed boys wearing suits without shoes. We believe that this was because the boys were dressed up for their portraits. Some of the boys in these portraits almost certainly went barefoot in the summer. We believe that this was especially true in the South and West. We do have some photographic evidence of this from the 1900s and 1910s because the Kodak Brownie was released in 1900, making amateur snapshots feasible for virtually any family, except thise in abject poverty. During the 1920s in became much less common for boys to go barefoot when wearing suits or other dress outfits, although many boys did continue going barefoot when wearing casual clothes.

Location

We believe that this was especially true in the south and west in rural areas and small towns. It is usually difficult to tell and most of these images are not labeled. Unlike the studio portraits which at least have the photographers name and address. There often is no information at all on the snapshots. The background, however, can offer some clues. Some are clearly rural or small town settings. Relatively few are urban settings.

Social Class

There are also social class factors to consider when assessing images of barefoot boys. While not very common, we do note some images with irban settings. The ones that are urban settings, usually show working boys or boys from humble families. The rural and small town images often appear to be boys from affluent or comfortable families. Wih many of these images there is no hint of poverty.

Conventions

We believe that the boys in these photographs showing the boys going barefoot was the way they actually dressed. This was not just for play and around the house, but for school or even going to church. It is possible that boys took their shoes and socks off after church, but we would have thought that if they had done so, that they would have taken their dressoutfits off as well. In fact we know that some boys did go bare foot to church and other events. We know this because we have seen images of weddings and other affairs where the younger boys are barefoot.








Christopher Wagner





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Created: August 18, 2002
Last updated: August 18, 2002