Figure 1.--This photograph was probably taken in the 1890s. Notice that the boy in the large ruffled collar wearing black three-quarter socks with strap shoes. The middle brother also is probably wearing stap shoes.
|
Figure 1.--This photograph was probably taken in the 1890s. Notice that the boy in the large ruffled collar wearing black three-quarter socks with strap shoes. The middle brother also is probably wearing stap shoes. |
Two older boys here are dressed in sailor outfits, but strangely the younger boy wears waht looks like a Norfolk suit, but with a large ruffled collar. The hair style is similar and there is no effort to coordinate the outfit of their sister. We believe that this is a 1890s outfit, but we are not positive. It is probably an American image, but it could be English. The boys look to be about 6-10 years old. Their older sister may be about 13 years old. HBC believes that they came from an affluent, but perhaps not wealthy family.
Two appear to have some sort of sailor collar top. The oldest boy is in knee pants and black stockings, the younger boys short socks. As least one of the younger boys wears strap shoes. It is interesting that the photo obviously was not taken in a studio, but the children are posed if they were in a studio. Interestingly the short hair cuts look very modern.
There is no effort to coordinate the outfit of their sister. All three boys wera suits of similar shades if not colors. The two older boys wear identical sailor suits.
The two older boys wear sailor collars that seem to have small white collars under them. As is often the case with coordinated family outfits, the younger boy wears a large white collar. In this case a ruffled colar.
Two older boys here are dressed in sailor outfits. They have front-buttoning blouses rather than pull-over middy blouses. Strangely the younger boy wear what looks like a Norfolk suit. Usually the younger boy would wear the sailor suit and the older boy the Norfolk suit.
All three boys wear kneepants.
All three boys wear black hosiery. The older boy wears long black stockings, the younger boy wears black three quarter socks. Clearly the short socks were seem more appropriate for younger boys.
The older boy wears what look like heavy boot-like shoes. The younger boy wears strap shoes. HBC believes the middle brother also wears strap shoes. Although it is hard to see, the shine on the bit of shoe you can see looks like that of patent leather strap shoes. Also the boot-like shoes would not be appropriate with three-quarter length socks.
The hair style is similar and We believe that this is a 1890s outfit, but we are not positive. Interestingly the short hair cuts look very modern.
Two props are vosible here. One is a bugle. In front of the middle age boy is a pull toy.
This is probably an American image, but it could very well be English. The ruffled collar makes us think that it is probably American. Ruffled collars were worn in England, but were more common in America.
The boys look to be about 6-10 years old. Their older sister may be about 13 years old.
HBC believes that they came from an affluent, but perhaps not wealthy family. The fact that that they are having their picture taken in the 1890s outside a studio suggests considerable affluence.
It is interesting that the photo obviously was not taken in a studio, but the children are posed if they were in a studio. Most outdoors photos are 20th century photographs. The fact that they are posed so formally suggests to HBC that iy was not a Kodak Brownie snapshot. The posing suggest sttongly that it is an 1890s photograph. The ruffled collar suggests about 1895-1905. We believe that the photigraph was ataken about 1900, perhaps a gfe years eralier.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main coordinated family suit page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Bibliographies]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Contributions]
[Countries]
[FAQs]
[Fashion messages]
[Boys' Clothing Home]