Figure 1.--Note the fancy blouses the two younger boys wear. The youngest boys has a color element worked into the collar and repeated on the cuffs. Younger boys dressing up for church or parties during the summer cmmonly wore blouses and knee pants, often going barefoot like the boys here.

Blouses were done in many different styles. The major style elements were the collar, front, sleeves and cuffs. Color ws also used as a style element. We note blouses with small collars and ballon sleeves. A good example is an unidentified American boy. This style was popular in the mid-19th century. Perhaps the most famous, some would say notorious, blouses worn by American boys were the Fauntleroy blouses with lace or ruffled collars during the 1880s and 90s. These Fauntleroy blouses came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They were worn both with Fautleroy suits and without a jacket during the summer. A good example exhere is an unidentified American boy. American boys of course have worn many other types of blouses. The middy blouse was perhaps worn by more American boys than any other style--at least in proprtional terms. They were most notable for the sometimes huge size of the collar and matching cuffs. This contrasts with the Eton collars which almost always were detachable collars. Yonger boys increasing in the 1920s began wearing the American version of an Eton suit. The first ones appear to have been worn with detachable Eton collars, but soon blouses with small Eton-style collars appeared.

Styles

Blouses were done in many different styles. The two most common were the Fauntleroy and sailor blouses, but there were many other styles. Often these did not have such destinctive terms. Perhaps the most famous, some would say notorious, blouses worn by American boys were the Fauntleroy blouses with lace or ruffled collars during the 1880s and 90s. These Fauntleroy blouses came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They were worn both with Fautleroy suits and without a jacket during the summer. A good example exhere is an unidentified American boy. American boys of course have worn many other types of blouses. The middy blouse was perhaps worn by more American boys than any other style--at least in proprtional terms. Eton collars were almost always were detachable collars and worn with shirt waists rather than blouses. Younger boys increasing in the 1920s began wearing the American version of an Eton suit. The first ones appear to have been worn with detachable Eton collars, but soon blouses with small Eton-style collars appeared. Gradually Peter Pan collars became even more popular.

Construction Elements

Several construction elements were involved in a blouse. The major style elements were the collar, front, sleeves and wrist cuffs, and waistlne. The collar often defined the blouse, but other importnt elements were important. Often the collar and cuffs were coordinated. Color was also used as a style element. The collar was the most destinctive element. Collars varied greatly in size largely on a chronological basis. Smll collars were very common in the mid-19th century. We note blouses with small collars and ballon sleeves. A good example is an unidentified American boy. Gradually larger collars became more popular. Some blouse collars by the late 19th century were huge with back flaps like a middy blouse. Thy Fauntleroy blouses popular at this time were most notable for the the fancy styling and huge size of the collar. They also often had matching cuffs. Blouses were different ythan hirts in that they did nit have tails. We are not entirely sure whu that was, but sispect it was the need not to interfere with stocking supporters. B;ouses appeared at a time when most boys, especially American boys, wore long tocking which need to be spported. The term blouse comes from how thewaistline bloused out. This was done by a drawstring.

Created: 6:51 PM 10/14/2007
Last updated: 10:22 PM 12/17/2014