Figure 1.-- Here we see a portrait f a boy wearing a tunic, bloomer knickers, white long stockings, and strap shoes. Note the large pointed collar with what looks like lace edgeing. The collar style is repeated with the wrist trim. I'm not sure wht color the suit was. The hat has a moderate brim. His hair is cut with bangs, but the hat covers much of his hair cut. Unfortunately we know nothing of the origin of this picture, but I think it is American. It seems to be a studio portrait and looks rather posed. The tunic has a leather belt. I would judge the boy to be about 5 years old. The date is uncertain, but we would guess was tken about 1910. This was probably his dress outfit.

Tunics were worn during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Conventions for tunics varies over time as their popularity varied. They were very flexible garments. We note them being worn for a wide range of occasions. We notice them being worn both as play garments as well as dress up occassions. Although they seem less common fo really formal events. Here there seem to have been chronological differences. We are less sure about the tunics worn in the early 19th century and our archive is very limited. We do not note many boys weaing tunics or tunic-like shirts for photographic portraits in the mid-19th century. We are guessing that this was their dress up outfit, but are not entirely sure about this. We know much more about the tunics worn at the turn of the 20th century. Tunic suits were very popular at this time and throughout the ealy 20th century. And with the appearance of the Kodak Browmie and the uniquitous snapshot, we see many boys wearing them for play and other casual wear. Wecdo not, however, note them being worn for school to any great extent.We also note quite a few boys wearing them for dress up occassions and informl portraits.

Chronology

Tunics were worn during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Conventions for tunics varies over time as their popularity varied. We are entirely sure about the tunics worn in the early 19th century. We note them being worn as dressy outfits and for svhool. We are, however, not ebtirely sure about the comventions. Our archive is very limited. We do not note many boys weaing tunics or tunic-like shirts for photographic portraits in the mid-19th century. We are not at all sure about the conventions involved. We think they were a dressy outfits. We are not sure about schoolwear. We know much more about the tunics that were popular in the early 20th century. We notice boys wearing tunics as both play and dressy garments. We do not notice them being worn extensively to school, although here there are some country differences.

Specic Conventions

Tunics were very flexible garments. We note tunics being worn for a wide range of occasions. We notice them being worn both as play garments as well as dress up occassions. Although they seem less common fo really formal events. Here there seem to have been chronological differences. We are guessing that this was their dress up outfit, but are not entirely sure about this. We know much more about the tunics worn at the turn of the 20th century. Tunic suits were very popular at this time and throughout the ealy 20th century. And with the appearance of the Kodak Browmie and the uniquitous snapshot, we see many boys wearing them for play and other casual wear. Wecdo not, however, note them being worn for school to any great extent.We also note quite a few boys wearing them for dress up occassions and informl portraits. Thus we see both plain and very fancy tunic suits. It was also reflected in the materials used.

Countries

Created: 6:32 PM 7/10/2006
Last updated: 3:18 AM 11/20/2008