Figure 1.--"Modes et travaux" in its November 1941 issue offered pattern for both a boy and a girls cape. The girl's cape is clearly identified by the bow. The patterns were not identified as to age. Note both the boy and girl wear wellies.
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Figure 1.--"Modes et travaux" in its November 1941 issue offered pattern for both a boy and a girls cape. The girl's cape is clearly identified by the bow. The patterns were not identified as to age. Note both the boy and girl wear wellies. |
Modes et travaux in its November 1941 issue offered patterns for several outfits and a suit for younger boys as well as capes that could be worn by boys and girls. The age for each garment is not specified, but they appear to be for children 4-6 years of age.
Modes et travaux was perhaps the most important French sewing magazine in the 1940s. During the German occupation after 1941, clothing became increasingly difficult to obtain. Thus sewing your own or your family's clothing became increasingly important. The title reads, "Filles ou Garçons aiment le Capuchon". That would translate as, "Boys and girls like capes", stressing the capes that appeared on the same page as the little boys' outfits. The author then goes on to describe six different garments or outfits. The two capes shown here are two of the garments. The inference is that the outfits shown on the same page would have been worn with capes.
Modes et travaux in its November 1941 issue besides these capes also offered pattern for two styles of outfits for little boys. There was a cloak worn with leggings. There was a button-on outfit play suit. There was also a fancy button-on outfit. There was also a suit for a slightly older boy as well as various capes.
The ad copy for each of the two capes reads as follows:
73: "Cape en tissu imperméable boutonnée au milieu du devant, le capuchon amovible est détaillé plus haut de dos et de profil, une écharpe le fixe par un noyé. Métr.: 1 m. 25 en 1 m. 25." This would translate as, "Cape or wrap in waterproof abric buttoned in the middle of the front, details of the removable cap are given above for back and profile, a scarf fixes it by one [?knot]. Measurements: 1 m. 25 en 1 m. 25." This cape would have been worn by a girl.
74: "Manteau pour garçonnet de 5 ans en diagonale ou en tissu imperméable, le capuchon est garni de piqûres à la main ainsi que le bord; poche verticale. Métr.: 1 m. 25 en 1 m. 25." This would translate as, "Cape or coat for a 5 year old small boy in diagonal or impermeable fabric, cap and edge are furnished with handmade stiches; vertical pockets. Measurements: 1 Mr. 25 in 1 Mr. 25."
Note that both children wear their capes in the rain with wellies--although wellies of different colors. One might think, however, that wellies would have been very difficult to obtain during the War.
The cape was more commom in France than other countries. They were not worn in America or Britain. I'm am less certain about Italy. They were also worn by older boys and girls and were adopted at part of the school uniform in some private schools. Navy blue capes were especially common. See for example Au revoir les enfants.
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