Figure 1.--These two French children were pictured wearing manteaus baby in the September 18-24, 1962 issue of "Libelleb".

Beginning about the 1940s we begin to note classic double-breasted coats for little boys, referred to in French as "manteau baby". They coats were also very popular in America and England. We are not sure where this style first appeared, but we begin noticing it in France in the late 1940s, but it may have originated even earlier. It is a style generaly associated with wealthy children. Prince Charles and other wealthy English children wore them. As did wealthy American children, including John F. Kennedy, Jr. They were worn by boith boys and girls. I'm not sure if there were differences in the sxtyles worn by boys and girls. There were a variety of stylistic differences, but I do not know if these were associated with gender. Stylistic differences included such variations as the cuts/vents on the back of the coat. Some had velvet detailing on the lapels.

Libelle

A HBC reader has provided this image from a 1962 issue of Libelle magazine. HBC has no information on the magazine, but believe it to be a popular woman's magazine in te 1960s. We do not know when it was founded or if it is still being published.

Coat Styles

Tne Libelle magazine in September 1962 shows to styles of classic "manteau baby" coats. Although one is worn by a boy annd another by a girl, we do not believe that the styles shown are specifically for boys or girls. The basic style could be worn by both boys and girls. Both coats have an ornamental back belt. The only known gender variation was the position of the buttons. Boys had buttons on the left side and girls had their buttons on the right side. The rest of the cut of the coat was exactly the same for boys and girls.

R 3580.2

The ad copy reads, "Même si vous n'êtes pas experte en couture vous réussirez ce joli manteau de garçonnet . Les manches sont raglan. Les petit col est particulièrement seyant. Les poches appliquées bas sont original . Métrage : 1.20 -1.40 en 1.40 de large. Pour 4 , 6 et 8 ans." It translates to something like, "Even if you aren't an expert seamstress, you can successfully make this pretty coat for a small boy. The sleeves are raglan. The light collar is particularly becoming. [Note: HBC aims to write in internet English, although we do not always achieve that goal. There are many words like the use of "becoming" here that will be understood by native English speakers, but not by many who speak English as a second language. We will thus either avoid such words, or when they are particularly important, provide an explanation. A French reader tells us that "seyant" means "to fit well and nicely, to suit in a pretty way". The English word "becoming" means "wearing a garment that makes one look particularly good or smart".] The low applied (patch) pockets are original. Measuring: 1.20 -1..40 in 1.40 wide. For 4, 6 and 8 years." This coat differs from the coat worn by the little girl in that is one back vent.

R 3581.2

The ad copy reads, "Le manteau de la petite Monique est tout à fait à la page et présente 4 plis . Une ceinture garnie de 2 boutons agrémente le dos . Les manches sont montées . Ce modèle ne présente pas de poches et sera joli en n'importe quelle couleur. Métrage: 1.50-1.75 m en 1.40 de large. Pour 4; 6; et 8 ans." This translates as, "The coat of this small girl is very fashiionable and presents four folds. A belt furnished with 2 buttons decorates the back. The sleeves are assembled. This model does not have pockets and would be pretty in any color. Measuring: 1.50-1.75 m in 1.40 wide. For 4; 6; and 8 years." This model has two back vents.

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing French pages:
[Main French page]
[French choirs] [French catalogs] [French school uniforms] [French school smocks] [French royalty] [French sailor suits]
[French scout uniforms] [Difficult French images] [French art] [French Movies] [French ethnics]

Created: November 14, 2001
Last updated: November 15, 2001