English Mail Order Catalogs and Clothing Advertisements with Boys Clothing: The 1930s


Figure 1.--This is the cover of the English Children's Wear: Illustrated Book of Draftings which provides drawings and patterns for boys and girls wear in what looks like the 1930s. The publiction includes information about the age for each style and pattern. Click on the image to view the index.

English mail order catalogs offer a very useful time line on changing fashion trends. English mail order catalogs and newspaper ads provide great detail on fashion trends. The available information suggest that most boys wore short pants, even during the winter. Sailor suits were still worn, but were less popular than in the 1920. Younger boys might wear rompers. I am not sure precisely when mail order catalogs first appeared in England. The first company we are aware of is Littlewoods which began mail order operations in 1932 and their catalogs leave a wonderful record of changing styles.

Undated

An undatd book entitled Children's Wear: Illustrated Book of Draftings provides a series of drawings and patterns for boys and girls wear in what looks like the 1930s. The publiction includes information about the age for each style and pattern. We note an undated advertisement a Bestway "long sock pattern" which we believe dates to the 1930s.

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Littlewoods began mail order operations in 1932 and their catalogs leave a wonderful record of changing styles beginning in the 1930s.

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Created: February 18, 2002
Last updated: 2:53 PM 11/27/2009