Figure 1.--"Le petit écho de la mode" in its February 1947 issue offered a pattern for this double-breasted coat. Note the velvet trim and English-styled peaked cap.
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Figure 1.--"Le petit écho de la mode" in its February 1947 issue offered a pattern for this double-breasted coat. Note the velvet trim and English-styled peaked cap. |
"Le petit écho de la mode" in its February 1947 issue offered a ensemble or trousseau for a younger boy. "Trosseau" is of course used in the French sence of a group of garments in general rather than in the English sence of a bridal outfit. The title of the page reads "Le trousseau de mon petit garçon." Which means "The outfit or wardrobe for the small boy." The words under the caption read. "Voici avec leur patron réduit (patron réduit = reduced pattern) quelque modèles vous permettant de constituer un trousseau pratique et complet pour votre petit garçon"." This means, "Here are the reduced pattern, some models allowing you to make a practical and complete wardrobe for a boy." The article suggests the patterns for a boy 3-4 years old. While the pattern is for a 3-4 year old, a French reader tells HBC that the style was commonly worn by olders noys up to 8 years of age, pergaps even 10 years. Younger boys might wear them with suspendr rompers, oldr boys would wear short pants.
Le petit écho de la mode in its February 1947 issue offered a pattern for a dressy coat to be worn by a small boy. It was coat
that looks as if could have been worn by a boy or girl. It was a double breasted coat with velvet trim on the collar and pocket flaps. It was woprn with an English-style peaked cap.
The ad copy reads: "Ce coquet manteau en lainage marine ou marron sera garni de velour ton sur ton. Aux devants, la partie grlsée est doublée d'une parementure de même forme. Dans le dos, deux plis creux fixes dans l'empiècement sont repris à la taille sous une martingale. (1 m. 60 en 120.) La petite casquette assortie comprend 6 cotés pour le fond. Pour la visière, faire une forme de carton rigide avant de la tendre de tissu."
The basic style of this coat was widely worn by younger boys and girls, especially children from wealthy families. These coats were usually well made and relatively expensive. HBC has noted this style being worn during the 1940s-60s. We have noted it in America, England, France, and other countries.
A French reader reports that it was commonly worn by boys and girls from 3-8, perhaps even 10 years of age. This varied somewhat over time and from country to country. Colors varied. This French coat was in navy blue and maroon. They were also made in pastel colors. These coats became less common in the 1970s, but have not entirely disappeared. In France this coat is often called a "Manteau baby". This does not mean that it is a baby coat. The foreign (English) word is used to suggest a fashionable sytle and it is used in the sence of a coat for a younger child. While less common, the style is still worn by younger children in France, usually pre-school noys and girls. It is now cut a bit longer. Normally it is only offered by the larger up-scale Parisian department stores.
The page provides descriptions to make this coat with the help of a patter to age 3-4 years. This does not mean that this style of coat was restructed to children that age. In fact, this style of coat was worn by girl and boy till 8 years, and less commonly even 10 years old. These coats could be rather expenive in the stores. The coat in smaller sizes could be made with a pattern by a competent home sewer. A French reader informs us that the larger sizes for older children were more difficult and reqired the work of a professional taylor.
Of course the style is most famous in America as the light blue coat that John F. Kennedy Jr. wore as he saluted his father's funneral corsage.
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