Age-related clothing codes for boys in Britain, 1850–1900

The period from c.1850 to 1900 was a turning point for boys’ clothing in Britain, with the introduction of short trousers as a garment that distinguished young boys from both older and younger males. This was also the period when mass manufacturers’ standardized garment sizes were defining the boundaries of age-related practices. This article will present an overview of changes in age-related clothing practice for boys in Britain between 1850 and 1900, and the ways in which these were understood by consumers. A comparison between documents from within the garment trades and documents addressed to consumers will provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between manufacturers’ provision of garments and consumers’ uptake of them in the period before 1900. The detailed analysis of documents from manufacturers and retailers will allow for an assessment of the importance of commercial interests in reflecting and shaping consumer behaviour.