Figure 1.--Galeries Lafayette in 1937 offered this one-piece romper suit (barboteuse) for boys 1-3 years of age. There was a coordinated dress (robe) for girls for mothers who liked the styled or wanted to match a brother and sister in a coordinated outfit. The dress was not illustrated. Rompers became an important boys' fashion in France and in 1937 was just beginning to cach on.

Notice the first Galeries Lafayette item--a one-piece puffed (bloomer pants) one piece romper (barboteuse) suit. The romper suit with bloomer pants were just beginning to become fashionable for boys. There were several features here of the classic French romper. Notice the white Peter Pan collar, smocked front. balloon sleeves abd of course bloomer pants. Notice that the top of the romper was identical to styling elements used in dresses and smocks. Onlt the bottom part was different. Rompers were strictly a boy's garment, never bought for girls who wore dresses. A French reader writes, "That's all to the good for us boys of the 1950s! Each hhad their own garment, dresses for the girls and rompers for us boys." Later these rompers will be much more puffed with a big bow at the back and made even for boys up to age 7 years. Here only the romper is illustrated, but here was also a coordinated dress for little girls. The ad coy read, "164-960. -- Barboteuse tissu lavable fond blanc, impressiones fantaisie. 1 an å 3 ans 25 Fr. 164-7967. La robe assortie. 0m.45 au 0m.55. 29 Fr." This would translate as "ROMPER - Washable-fabric white backcolor , fancy printed fabric. 1 year trough 3 years old, 25 francs. 164-7967. The matched dress, 45-55 centimeters 29 francs." Presumably that size was for girls 1-3 years of age.

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Created: 2:12 PM 2/1/2008
Last updated: 2:12 PM 2/1/2008