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The tunic was a very versatile garment. While tunics could be worn for play, it was also worn for a range of more formal events by younger boys. We see them being worn for studio portraits, church events, holiday events, family gatherings, parties, and other formal events. They seem to have often been a younger boy's best outfit rather than the suits commonly worn by older boys. The basic styling of the tunic was the same for both play and dressy tunics. The differenced was often the fabric used and the trim. Of course some boys wore older tunic for play. We see fancy, dress tunics that were clearly made for formal occassion. Often the basic garment was the same, only with fancy trim added to create dressy tunics. Some tunics had copius ruffeled and lace trimed decorative elements. The fabric used could also be different. These may have been the boy's party outfit or dressiest grment. We see basic tunic suits trimmed with copious amounts of lace. This seems rather popular for white tunic suits made in light-weight fabrics for summer wear. We also see tunics done in heavier, dark materials, but they do not seem as common as the white ones. We note the dressy white tunic suits commonly worn with long stockings, both black and white long stockings. Both were considered appropriate for formal dress at the time. Socks were less common for formal wear.
The tunic was a very versatile garment. While tunics were commonly worn for play, they were also worn for more formal events by younger boys. We notice quite a range of dressy occassions for which tunic suits were worn. We see them being worn for studio portraits, church events, holiday events, family gatherings, parties, weddings, and other formal events. They seem to have often been a younger boy's best outfit rather than the suits commonly worn by older boys. Tunics were not the only outfits younger boys wore for these occassions, but they were one of the most popular styles for pre-school boys.
We see a wide range of dressy tunics done in a variety of styles. The basic styling of the tunic was the same for both play and dressy tunics. The differenced was often the fabric used and the detailing and trim trim. Of course some boys wore older tunic for play. We see fancy, dress tunics that were clearly made for formal occassion. Often the basic garment was the same, only with fancy trim added to create dressy tunics. Scalloped edging was also popular. Some tunics had copius ruffeled and lace trimed decorative elements. Many of the dressy tunics were sailor tunics, although this may not initially be apparent because of all the fancy trim. These were often white sailor tunics, but withour the standard stripe detailing. The tunic here is a good example (fif=gure 1). The V-front has been modified to look more like lapels, but notice that there was a back flap. We also see very plain, but elegant looking tunics. Here the fabric used could also be different. These may have been the boy's party outfit or dressiest grment. We see basic tunic suits trimmed with copious amounts of lace. This seems rather popular for white tunic suits made in light-weight fabrics for summer wear. We also see tunics done in heavier, dark materials, but they do not seem as common as the white ones. There could be seasonal factors at play here. The fancy whire tunivs could be a spting-summer style while the plainer tunics with heavier material worn more during fall and winter.
The accompanying garments worn with tunic suits are another topic of interest. These items are limited because the tunic outfits covered the neck to below the knees. The accompanying garments were headwear, hosiery and footwear. Headwear is most common with dressy tunic suits. Often the headwear is not seen, but there are many examples of boys, mostly holding their headwear. We see some boys with matching or at least cooprdinated headwear of different types, both caps and hats. Some of the caps were done in matching matrial and color. There were many different styles. We note the dressy white tunic suits commonly worn with long stockings, both black and white long stockings. Both were considered appropriate for formal dress at the time. Sometimes the stockings matched the tunic such as white with black and sometimes the contrasting colors were chosen. Socks were less common for formal wear at the time. but we do notice mostly white three quarter socks with dressy tunics. Strap shoes were commonly worn with dressy tunics, but we also see heavy high-top shoes. This was not the case for the knicker suits older boys wore.
We believe that tunic suits were more of a middle- and upper-class style. They seemless common for working-class families. They were very popular in therly-20th century. The plau suits were worn by boys from a range of familie. The dressy tunic suits, were primarily worn by well-to-do and middle-class families. This is a topic we are still working on to sort out. Of course social class is not always apparent when all you have is a photographs. There are, however, clues that can be picked up on in these photographs. The boys here, for example, are so well done up that they surly must have come from a family in comfortable circumstances.
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