Figure 1.--This is Judy and Schuyler Dalton from Huntington, Long Island in New York. They look to be done up in new snow suits for an outing in a wooded area of Long Island. The snpshot is undated, but woulf hsve been tken in the late-1930s. |
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We do not have a lot of information on snow suits at this time. As far as we can tell they appeared after World War I in the 1920s. We think primary factor was the populasrity of sking and the appearance of ski clothing. Skiing as a sport began to develop in northern Europe (late-19th century). With the advent of the Olympics, skiing became very popular and fashionble. This was especially true of women's skiers. Some one seens to have gotten the ideea that the basic idea was perfect for younger boys and girls who at the time were wearing short pants and skirts which could be a little chilly in cold weather. They would might wear long stockings and lerggings to keep warm, but the idea of covering everying up gave rise to the snow suit. We are not sure just who invented it or when it fgirst appeared, but it was a well-estblished item by the 1930s. An important step here was introduction of lastex in the mid-1930s. Knit bands containing this stretchy yarn were attached to the bottoms snow suit trouser legs and sleeve cuffs. It was also used for knickers. There was a hood, jacket and trousers, augmented with mittens, scarves, and boots. These snow suits were quite bulky. Kids especially the younger kids needed help putting them on and taking them off. and they restricted movement once the child was fully outfitted. Snow suit frustrations are virtully infinite. Mittens almostlways got lost--usully just one of the pair. Nothing fits well for long, whining wa virtutually madatory. One author from the 1950s writes, "I don't recall now what my snow suits were made from. What I recall most is thrashing around the floor, usully the nice warm kitchen floor trying to get my suit on. Mom was adament thsatbIb wear it to mke sure I didn't ctch cold. But she wanted me out of the house for awhile as all cooped up I would get on her nerves."
Another readser recalls, "Our uniform of the day was a 'snowsuit.' I think it was invented by the same guy that invented the strait jacket! It took forever to get your legs in and then wrestle your arms in; then someone had to buckle on your overshoes because you couldn't reach your feet anymore. Then the hat and the hood and out the door you went! There would be myself and a flock of cousins propped up in the snow. What's the first thing that happens when we hit the cold air? Got to pee...right now! Cold air does that to you when you're a little kid! Back to the house and a quick strip and into the bathroom. Then repeat the whole operation again. Being little back in those days was a challenge!" Many warly snow suits suits were made of heavy wool fabruc, often lined in cotton flannel. Snow suits are still with us today. For a goof chuckle read about 'Thomas' snowsuit'.
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