Figure 1.--This American boy wears a blouse with an Eton collar and bow for his First Communion. The photograph was probably taken in the 1910s. The color of blouses is not always apparent in old photographs, but this boy does look to be wearing a white blouse.

American boys in the late 19th and early 20th century might wear a dressy blouse with an Eton collar. These were not worn by younger boys who more commonly might wear a ruffled or lace collar. School age boys might wear the Eton collar, although often school age boys up to about 12 or 13 in the 1890s often still wore the more juvenile lace and ruffled collar. After the turn of the century it was more common for these boys to wear an Eton collar instead of the large ruffled collars.

Conventions

Boys in the late 19th century more commonly wore suits than is the case today. However young boys might be allowed just to wear a fancy Fauntleroy blouse during the summer. Older boys were generally expected to wear a coat for dress occasions. After the turn of the 20th century, it became more common just to wear a dressy blouse diring the summer. I do not believe that blouses with Eton collars were the most common style, but it was one of the blouse styles worn.

Age

The age of the boys wearing Eton collars varied over time. In the late 19th century the Eton collar was worn by older boys. It was unusual to see a boy younger tham 11-12 years old wearing Eton collars. Boys younger than that were more likely to wear lace or ruffled collars. After the turn of the century, younger boys began wearing them. By the 1910s some very young boys were wearing play suits with collars styled like Eton collars. Dress blouses with Eton collars, however, were usually worn by at leasr school age boys.

Blouse Colors

We notice Eton Collars worn with both light- and dark-colored blouses. Many of the blouses were white, but there were aslso light-colored blouses as well. Unfoirtunaely the black-and-white photographic recordsoffers few clues as to the sprcific colors involved. We alo notice dark-colored blouses. We are not sure about the specific colors involved. We think navy blue may have been a pasrticulsarly popular color, but again the photographic record does not provide us much information on color. While we are sure white was a common color, we asre not sure tht blasck was extensively worn. Hopefully the developing catalog and vintage clothing sectiions will eventually provide some insights.

Bows

Boys wearing an Eton collar with a suit or dress blouse varied as to theur neckwear. Some might wear an Eton collar without neckwear. Other boys might wear bows, bowties, or neckties. Our initial assessment is that Boys wearing a dress blouse with an Eton collar almost always wore neckwear, usually a floppy bow of some kind. This requires some further assessment to confirm.

Blouses, Shirts, and Collars

I am not precisely sure as to just how Eton collars were worn. I think they were actually detachable collars and not actually part of blouses or shirt waists. I am not sure if some shirts actually came with attached Eton collars. We note quite large collars being worn in yhe late-19th and ealy-20th centuries. These were done i various shapes, many with back flaps. The stiff Eton collars thast stood up, however, were detachable collasrs.

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[Return to the Main U.S. Eton collar: Accompanying clothes page]>br> [Dresses] [Smocks] [Bows] [Bodice kilts] [Kilts] [Sailor suits]
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Created: December 29, 1999
Last updated: 5:05 AM 7/20/2009