Figure 1.--Here we see brothers in what looks like a rural area wearing white shorts sets with self-belts. These self belts covered over the buttons od button-on outfits. The snapshor is undated, but looks like the 1930s. The boys look to be about 4-6 years old. Notice the cap pistols for a rollivcking game of cowboys and Indians.

The button-on outfits continued to be popular through the 1930s. They were done in sizes to about 8-10 years, but this varied over time. There were varioys styles, including sailor suits. We note a change in the 1930s. The Oliver Twist suits which rather emphasized the buttons as part of the styling disappear by the early-30s. And in shorts-sets, the buttons are no longer emphasized as part of the syling. The buttons were generally smaller and tended to blend it more than stand out. We also self-belts which covered up the buttons. The belts look like they are holding up the pants. This was not the case. The self-belts were largely ornamental. They covered up the buttons which were what was actually holding up the pants. In Europe we see a lot of boys wearing suspender shorts. This was less common in America as a method of pants suspensions. We see these outfits being wirn for play, school, and even dressy, albeit less commonly formal occassions. Here of course a factor was the steady shift towaerd casual styles, especially for children.

Created: 4:14 AM 7/21/2009
Last updated: 4:17 AM 3/28/2011