Today I want to take a look at something that became one of the most recognisable fashions of the Victorian era: the sailor suit worn by so many children.
If you look at old Victorian photographs, you will often notice little boys, and sometimes girls, dressed in miniature naval-style outfits. At first glance they might seem like ordinary fancy dress, but there was much more to the story.
The trend began in 1846 when Queen Victoria dressed her four-year-old son, the future King Edward VII, in a specially made sailor suit during a royal visit aboard the royal yacht. Portraits of the young prince wearing the outfit were widely admired, and families across Britain soon wanted their own children dressed in the same style. What the royal family wore often became fashionable, and this was no exception.
Britain was the world's greatest naval power during the Victorian period. The Royal Navy was a highly regarded and the nation took huge pride in it. It protected trade routes and the expanding British Empire. Dressing children in sailor suits showed that pride and it allowed families to show their admiration for the nation's sailors.
The outfits were also practical. They were comfortable, easy to move around in, and much less restrictive than many other children's clothes of the time. The loose blouse, wide collar and simple trousers allowed boys to play more freely than they could in formal jackets and stiff collars. Girls often wore sailor-style dresses with similar collars, combining fashion with comfort.
For many parents, the suit also represented good character. Sailors were seen as being disciplined. They had courage and loyalty. So dressing their children in naval clothing, parents may have hoped to encourage those same qualities.
Not every sailor suit was the same. Wealthier families were able to buy finely tailored versions that were made from quality wool with embroidered details, while working families often chose simpler, more affordable versions. Even so, the distinctive square collar, neckerchief and striped trim made them instantly recognisable.
As photography became more affordable during the late Victorian period, countless children were photographed wearing their sailor suits for family portraits. These images have helped make the style one of the defining looks of Victorian childhood.
Although fashions eventually changed during the twentieth century, sailor suits remained popular for many decades and continued to appear in children's wardrobes long after Queen Victoria's reign had ended.
Do you think you would have liked sailor suit, or would you have preferred something a little less formal?
No comments:
Post a Comment