Figure 1.--Here we see a Swedish boy in 1938 wearing a romper suit. His name was Rolf. He wears rompers with long stocking. Also note the traditional Swedish cap.

We do not yet have much information on Swedish casual clothing. The Swedish term for rompers appears to be sparkbyxor. We are unsure just how popular they were. We do not several examples of Swedish boys wearing rompers. We note pre-school Swedish boys wearing rompers. Swedish readers mention two kinds of rompers. Younger boys wore romper suits likethe ones worn in other countries, only with destinctive detailing. Swedish reader also tell us that older children wore romper shorts. We have few details as to chronological or age trends. We also notice them being worn in school gym classes during the 1950s.

Terminology

The Swedish term for rompers appears to be sparkbyxor.

Romper Suits

Younger boys wore romper suits like the ones worn in other countries, only with destinctive detailing. Various terms seem to have been used, including ” solbyxor ” (sunpants) and ” lekbyxor ” (playpants). We note pre-school Swedish boys wearing romper suits. Some were done with Swedish ethnic detailing. We have no details as to chronological or age trends. The boy here looks to be about 2 years old. The photograph was taken in 1938. A reader writes, "This image of the boy in rompers gives us a bit of insight into the suspension of long stockings in Sweden in 1938. The hose supporters he is wearing are single (not double or Y-shaped as in America) and are at the sides over the hips, not in front or front-and-back as with majority of German Leibchen. A minor point, but perhaps worth noting." We note photographs showing that Swedish boys were still wearing rompers in the 1960s. We note a snapshot of a Swedish boy wearing stripped romper suits in 1967.

Romper Shorts

A Swedish reader tells us, "I was born in Sweden during the early 1950s and I remember wearing romper shorts for gym at school or at the gym club. It was quite common that boys and girls and even adult males and females use to wear them. Romper shorts was part of the official gym uniform for boys and young men. The attached photo from the Gymnaestraden Rotterdam ws taken in 1953. My older brother who was 16 or 17 is among them the boys pictured for some official gymnastic event. I used to wear them even during summer untill late 60s or early 70s. The shorts was quite loose fitting and made in cotton. I remember they was very confortable during hot summer days." This style may have been worn in other European countries, but so far we have only noted in Sweeden.

Created: 11:44 AM 2/27/2005
Last updated: 4:05 AM 3/10/2010