Actual Little Lord Fauntleroy Garments: American Vintage Suit (1888)


Figure 1.--This fancy black Fauntleroy suit was made by Best & Company. Notice the grey embroidery and grey silk lining. Image coutesy of the CO collection.

We believe this is a black velvet Fauntleroy suit from Canada because the images were sent to us by a Candian collector. We have, however, no provinance, so it could be an American suit. A date of 1888 is written on it, although it is faint and could be 1883. The 1888 date is more likely. The suit has fancy embroidered decorations. Both the jacket and pants are lines, although in different material.

Country

This is an American black velvet Fauntleroy suit, but sent to us by a Candian collector. We have, however, no provinance, so it could be an American suit.

Chronology

A date of 1888 is written on it, although it is faint and could be 1883. The 1888 date is more likely. The Fauntleroy craze began in 1885, but there wee fancy velvet suits for little boys before that, only of course they were not called Fauntleroy suits. The fasgion was much more common after 1885 with the imense popularity of Mrs. Burnetts book.

Color

The suit is black, although the mages for some reason make it look olive green.

Material

The suit is done in a plush velvet.

Decoration

The suit has fancy embroidered decorations. The embroidered front closings look to be done in yellow or a gold-look color. The same embroidered design is repeated on on the sleeves and on the back of the jacket and on the knnepants at the knee hem.

Lining

Both the jacket and pants are lines, although in different material.


Figure 2.--The arms are lined with white or cream coloured silk. The rest of jacket with black silk and the knee pants with brown linen. The date was found under the center of the rear "flap" that the blouse should button to. I still cannot be sure of the date as it is faded, but appears to be early May 1888 or 1883. Image coutesy of the CO collection.

Front Flap

The kneepants instead of a fly has a front flap buttoned at the waist on each side.

Size

There is no size, but my best guess is that it would fit about a 4 year old.

Labels

No labels.







Christopher Wagner




Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Fauntleroy pages:
[Return to the Main actual Fauntleroy suit page]
[Fauntleroy dresses] [Fauntleroy blouses] [Fauntleroy movies [Lace collars] [Collar bows]
[Vivian Benett] [Fauntleroy patterns] [Literary characters: Cedric Erol]



Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site other related pages:
[Return to the Main Fauntleroy suit page]
[Return to the Main Fauntleroy blouse page]
[Dresses] [Kilts] [Smocks] [Pinafores] [Velvet] [Sailor Hats] [Blouses]
[Ring Bearers] [Long hair] [Ringlet curls] [Bangs [Main bow page] [Sashes] [Hair bows]
[Lace collars] [Ruffled collars]



Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Satellite sites] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]




Created: October 18, 2002
Last updated: October 19, 2002