Variety in a Colonial Boy Costume

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It must be emphasized that in colonial times, clothing was used more than for the sake of individual modesty and protection from the elements but, more importantly, for societal purposes.  We are talking about social status and economic wealth as well as occupation and personality.  Fortunately, this does not apply to the colonial boy costume because then that would entail plenty of research on the subtleties and nuances of 18th century dress codes.

Little Colonial Boy Child Costume Price: 19.99

Colonial Boy Costume Price: 29.99

Colonial Man Adult Costume Price: 84.99

Nowadays, you can choose from so many colonial costumes for your little boy.  This article will discuss just a few of these choices.  Don’t worry, however, as there are no breeches and stays – two of the staples of an 18th-century boy’s wardrobe – to worry about.  Except for a few details, your child will be comfortable in costume.

Patriotic Costume

You can choose from many varieties of costumes under the patriotic costume category, of which the most popular is the Union soldier.  The costume is composed of a blue jacket with gold vest, both of which are accented by gold buttons running down their length.  A single gold button also accents the cuff of the jacket with a lace insert for greater impact.

When coupled with tan pants, a hat and a sword, you have a Union soldier valiantly guarding your house from unwanted intruders.  Of course, don’t forget the boots although these are not really boots – you just cover your little boy’s shoes with these black boot tops.

Thomas Jefferson Costume

Thomas Jefferson Child Costume Price: 46.99

Who does not know Thomas Jefferson?  He was the third President of the Unites States, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of foremost Founding Fathers.  As such, he deserves to be honored with his own colonial-era boy costumes.

In the manner of the President, the costume consists of a white wig complete with rolls in the side, jacket and vest with lace trimmings on the wrists and on the chest, black knee-length knickers, white tights and buckled shoes.  Now, watch as your little buy take on the aura of a confident Thomas Jefferson.

You should ask the supplier if the accessories like the wig and shoes are included in the package.  If not, then it is best to just purchase the items to complete the look especially when the costume is for a school play.

George Washington Costume

George Washington Child Costume Price: 14.99

Revered by Americans as the Father of Our Country, George Washington was the first President of the United States.  He is commemorated in many ways including a little boy’s costume named after him, among other things.

The said colonial boy’s outfit includes a long blue jacket with a gold trim down the front, a vest with lacy cravat and gold buttons and tan pants.  For the shoes, your little boy cab wear any of his black leather shoes but make sure to put on the boot covers to complete the look.  Add in the wig and your little boy can convincingly play George Washington.

Just choose the best colonial boy costume that suits your budget and your boy’s preference.  After all, the people from whom these costumes were made in honor of fought for democracy.  Why should choosing it be any less than a democracy indeed?

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The Elaborateness of the Colonial Wig

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If not for costume parties that often happen during Halloween, you probably will not wear a colonial wig and for good reasons, too. After all, these hairpieces can be ungainly due their height, unfashionable for our times and unmanly for many men to be wearing nowadays. Still, it is good to know the origins of these wigs that our forefathers wore in their day.

Colonial Hat with Wig Child Price: 17.99

Colonial Boy Child Wig Price: 9.99

Colonial Girl Child Wig Price: 9.99

As High As It Would Go

Our forefathers were as vain as we are today although with a different set of standards of beauty. In fact, in the olden days, the adage about hair being our crowning glory had a totally literal meaning so much that hair was piled up as high as it can go. Thus, the crowning glory hair did become.

Colonial Wig Adult Price: 29.99

Colonial Man Adult Costume Price: 84.99

Immortal Male Colonial Wig Price: 12.99

You will be asking how high hair was made possible when hairspray was yet to be invented to wreak havoc on the environment. Well, wires were used to hold up the hair as high as possible with the addition of wool, tow and other padding materials, all of which were intended to give hair plenty of artificial volume. If you suffer from male or female pattern baldness, you may like living during the colonial times.

White Colonial Lady Wig For Adults Price: 22.97

Colonial Lady Wig Price: 31.99

Zombie Wig Lady Price: 11.97

Such was the height of hair in colonial times that it was virtually impossible to sleep with the headpiece on without elaborate precautions. Fortunately, our forefathers had the common sense to make removable wigs.

As Elaborate as Possible

But the contest for hair as crowning glory did not stop with height and volume. You also had to make the hairstyle as elaborate as possible with the addition of removable hair accessories, rolls and even color. Let’s start with the hair accessories. Keep in mind that minimalism was unheard of in polite society where hair was concerned. Thus, you had to put almost anything and everything of aesthetic value on the hair to attract more attention to it.

Think along the lines of combs made from semi-precious materials, sprigs and garlands of artificial and real flowers and plants, plumes and feathers, ribbons made from silk and satin and the occasional tiara made from precious gems. If you think your hours spent at the salon for your hairstyle is a long time to get dolled up, just think of the hours colonial women had to spend just to get their hair done. We are not yet talking about the dress with its layers upon layers of cloth, mind you.

Now, let’s proceed to the rolls. You had to worry about the number of rolls in the hair, too, which was true for both men and women. If you have seen the white wigs still worn by British judges today, you will get the idea of how elaborate the hairstyles of men in colonial times were in relation to rolls.

As for color, white and gray were the preferred colors as these signified wisdom. Unlike today where youth is the obsession, in colonial times it was old age because of the wisdom it supposedly brings to the individual.

When you are wearing your colonial wig, think of the rich traditions that bore it. Today, you need not suffer through the elaborateness of the wig but it is good to know that you honor our forefather by wearing it once every so often.

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