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The Fauntleroy suit for boys became the style during Victoria's reign. It's most distinguishable characteristics was marked by a detailed lace collar with a smock that hung down passed the knee. Black stockings were worn with this outfit and later white would be worn. Fautleroy suits, pants and jackets, were made of velvet and silk and had embroidery. Silk was used in these costumes for sashes, cuffs and collars. One of the most popular accessory worn with these suits was the endearing sailor hat. At first, the idea of boys wearing velvet, silk and lace was hard for many to accept but this style became popular anyhow. As time passed simpler and plainer versions of this suit was worn. Of course, not all boys dressed this way. Farmers sons dressed in country fashions.
Buster Brown suits were worn between the ages of 5 and 8 and sometimes at older ages. This style became popular near the end of the Victorian Era. The smock-like suit had a short smock and bloomer pants above the knee with long stockings. The short pants were shorter than that of the Fauntleroy Suits. Large bows were often worn with these suits.
A gentleman was always seen wearing the best attire. With his wool evening tail coat or Double breasted suit he wore his charming top hat. The suits sported wide lapels during the early Victorian Period. White shirts were worn with the stiffened collars high about the neck during the 1830's. It wasn't until 1840 that men wore their collars down. Shirts were made of linen or muslin. A roll collar vest went over the shirt. It was made of either wool, linen, muslin or silk. Coloured shirts might be worn by working-class men, but gentlemen usually wore white. Artistic, intellectual and unconventional gentlemen might wear shirts of solid colour. Court dressing was a formal style of dressing for men. But, later in the mid 1800's, country dress became a more comfortable style of clothing. The wardrobe consisted of a short-tailed jacket, riding hat (top hat), vest and boots. This outfit could be worn when riding horseback. Top hats were worn with formal and country suits. In any case, country suits were easier wear for men of that time.
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Costumes
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