Boy's Suit

PeriodCirca 1890 - 1900

Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumVelvet, metallic lace, cotton twill, silk

Dimensions22 × 9 in. (55.9 × 22.9 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Children's

Credit LineMuseum Collection

Object number1997.543

DescriptionA boy's three piece formal suit, known as a "Little Lord Fauntleroy," consisting of jacket, knickers, and a matching cap, all of rich dark blue velvet. The jacket has a collarless round neckline, with a blind placket button front, a low waist with an attached buttoned sash, a single pocket at the proper right waist, a scalloped tabbed hem, and long sleeves with three slashes on the upper arms, lined with white plain woven silk. Silver metallic lace trim is sewn around the neck, slashes, sash, and along the tabbed hem. The suit's knickers are also of dark blue velvet and constructed with a three-button blind placket front closure, buttons at the waistband for suspenders, metallic silver lace trim and black velvet ribbon bows at the knees, and a lining of glazed brown cotton twill. The outfit also includes a brimless hat of dark blue velvet, with a tabbled border with a wired edge for shaping and support, metallic silver lace trim, and off-white cotton gauze lining.
Curatorial RemarksThis little boy's fancy velvet suit is a variation on the late 19th century "Little Lord Fauntleroy" fashion. Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849 - 1924), born in England, emigrated with her family to Tennessee in 1865. Burnett supported her family with her writing, and was an active professional author from the age of 18 when she sold her first magazine story. Burnett is best known for her children's books including Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), The Little Princess (1905), and the Secret Garden (1911). Burnett's Little Lord Fauntleroy first appeared as a serial story from November of 1885 to October of 1886 in St. Nicholas, and was then published in book form by Scribner's of New York at the end of 1886. The typical "Little Lord Fauntlerory" suit, described in detail in the book, consisted of a velvet suit, usually black, including a cutaway jacket and short pants (knickers), often worn with a fancy ruffled and/or lace trimmed blouse. The style was most popular in the United States, and remained popular with mothers, if not the little boys themselves who wore them, from 1885 through to the early 20th century.

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