Figure 1.--This Dagereotype probably taken in the 1850s shows a boy in a plaid shirt. Notice the small white collar and bow. Also notice the double part hair style. |
|
There have also been a varirty of styles and patterns used in boys' shirts. The major destinction is between cassual shirts and dress shirts. These have varried from the plaid, western, Rugby, school, and a wide variety of other styles. Some of the most popular shirts in the moder era have been casual shirts like t-shirts and polo shirts. A major factor in shirt styling is always the collar.
Some of the most popular shirts in the moder era have been casual shirts. Two of the most popular styles are t-shirts and polo shirts.
T-shirts became popular in America during the 1940s. The inital ones had bright horizontal stripes. There were both short and long sleeved styles. There popularity gradually spread overseas. During the 1970s it became stylish to put logos on T-shirts. At first sport logos were popular. Corporate logo followed as did logos with social or a variety of other messages.
Polo shirts appear I believe in the 1950s. I'm not sure just what the connection with polo was. They were sinilar to T-shirts, only there was a collar with a partial button fronts, rather like a Rugby shirt.
The standard school boy shirt in England after Eton suits disappeared during the 1930s were
grey shirts with soft straight collars. In an era when wash was more labor intensive, grey shirts were
more practical for active schoolboys than whiter shirts. For dress occasions white shirt was
substituted. Some elementary schools in recent years have intoduced more casual white or blue polo-style shirts. The main style in the 1950s for grey shirts was of a rugby type i.e. the buttons only came
half way down the front and were made out of cotton.
Many preparatory schools allowed Aertex shirts in the
1950s of grey, white or blue for summer wear.
Aertex fabric is rather similar to the material in a
cellular vest; small holes to allow for ventilation in hot weather. Ties were not normally worn these shirts.
The major destinction is between cassual shirts and dress shirts. These have varried from the plaid, western, and a wide variety of other styles.
Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main shirt page]
[About Us]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Girls]
[Theatricals]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web chronological pages:
[The 1840s]
[The 1870s]
[The 1880s]
[The 1890s]
[The 1900s]
[The 1910s]
[The 1920s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web sailor pages:
[Main sailor suit page]
[Reefer jackets]
[Middy blouses]
[Sailor dresses]
[Other sailor styles]
[Sailor hats]
[The Royals]
[Ring bearer/page costumes]