A collection of vintage sailor suits designed to ensure stylish Victorian children looked ship shape has been revealed by museum experts in Leeds.
The eye-catching naval attire includes a classic range of blue and white outfits, dresses and bellbottom trousers, looks which became hugely popular for children during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The nautical suits are among an array of historic fashions which will be explored in an upcoming workshop at Leeds Discovery Centre in Hunslet looking back on centuries of fabulous clothes and costumes.
A favourite sartorial style for the Victorian era’s babies and toddlers, the suits were based on the type of iconic uniform worn by sailors in the British navy.
Widely considered to be the trendsetter for the distinctive outfits, Queen Victoria first had a child’s sailor suit made for her eldest son, Prince Albert Edward, in 1846.
Her husband Prince Albert reputedly loved the outfit so much, he commissioned a painting of the Prince of Wales wearing it, sparking a trend among other wealthy families, who soon began dressing their young boys in similar suits.
By the late 1800s, sailor suits became more mainstream, and were seen as a more comfortable outfit for active youngsters. Girls’ clothes were also influenced, with sailor style dresses becoming hugely popular between 1900 and 1920s.
The boom in children’s styles led tailors like Leeds-based John Barrans to specialise in making children’s clothes, with the company becoming affectionately known as the ‘little boys tailor.’
They made and sold a number of different styles of sailor suits and other outfits suitable for children, such as Russian style tops and smocks which also feature in the Leeds collection.
Natalie Raw, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of costume, said:
“Sailor suits like those in our collection became part of a hugely recognisable style, and they’re also a fascinating early example of how a distinctive outfit worn by a figure in the public eye can spark a popular and enduring trend.
“Sailor suits are still very much a favourite of the British Royal Family today too, with young princes and princesses often seen in the style at Royal events, and it’s fantastic that we have such superb examples of Leeds-made suits in our collection.
“We’re looking forward to showcasing these outfits along with other fashions as we explore the influence Leeds and its tailors have had on both style and manufacturing over the centuries.”
The Fabulous Fashion workshop takes place at Leeds Discovery Centre on Wednesday (31 July 2024), from 10am until 12pm.
As well as this event, clothes in the collection will also be part of a wider upcoming exhibition of children’s clothing taking place at Lotherton in March next year.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:
“Leeds has a proud and rich history in the clothing and textile industries, and it’s fascinating to see examples of outfits made here in the city, which have played their part in creating historic trends and styles.
“Our collections give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the city’s unique story and to be inspired by the creativity of those who lived here in the past and helped make modern Leeds what it is today.”
For more details about the Fabulous Fashion workshop, including how to book a free place, please visit: Fabulous Fashion Workshop – Leeds Museums & Galleries
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
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