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We have quite a number of mail order catalog items that we cannot date to a specific year, but believe appeared during the 1910s decade. It impossible to date them to decades with reasonable confidence. This only become difficult in the very early and later years of the decade when the items may be from the late-1900s or very early-1920s. We can, however, for the most part identify decades. We will add those items here with the hope they may be actually dated in the future. Sewing patterns in particular are much more difficult to date. Do let us know if you can help with the dating.
The flat cap became the standard headwear fr American boys duringb the190s. You can see some here even for younger noys (figure 1). We also see bucket hts and sailor caps. Flat caos were even more common with older boys.
Younger boys for centuries wore dresses like their sisters. This convention began to change in the late-19th century. We see a lot of boys wearing kilt-suits rather than dresses. We note a very wide-spread shift by the mid-1890s decade. We still see some younger boys wearing dresses in the 1900s decade, but it was much less common than in the 19th century, even the late-19th century. By the l910s decade, this centuries old convention had largely gone out of style. There was one exception--tunic suits. Tunics were worn in he 19th century, but not in large numbers. We are not sure about the early-19th century before the advent of photography. We think that they were fairly common, at least among the growing middle-class. We are less sure about the working-class. By the mid-19th century they seem less common. Although early photographs at mid-century we see a lot of younger boys wearing what look like long blouses similar to tunics (1840s-50s). In the early-20 century there was a revival of tunics which became a very popular garment for younger boys. They ere done in many different styles (1900s and 10s decades). A good example is a Sears catalog page we think dates to the 1810s. They are notable for the variety of styles and colors.
We note a Butternick catalog with a range of outfits for younger boys, mostly ages 1-2/6 years of age. Unfortunately it is undated. We believe that it probably dates to the late-1910s, but the early-20s is not possible. The offering include several tunics suit which is one reason we are guessing it dates to the late-1910s and not the 1920s. We are able to read the adcopy, but it does not identify the style, only calling the various outfits 'suits'.
Here is a Sears catalog page showing little boys suits and reefers (coats) (figure 1). Unfortunately it is not dated. We believe it probably dates to 1918-19, but just as easily could be 1920-21. Notably the little boys sections includes outfits up to age 8 or even 9 years old. Eventually this would become boys 3-6 years old. We notice a Standard sailor suit. We have a Sears page showing little boys suits and reefers (coats) (figure 1). Unfortunately it is not dated. We believe it probably dates to 1918-19, but just as easily could be 1920-21. Notably the little boys sections includes outfits up to age 8 or even 9 years old. Eventually this would become boys 3-6 years old.
We also note Buster Brown long stockings. These ads probably appeared throughout the 1900s and 10s. We note an undated Notaseme ad for long stockings. The boy in the illustration is pictured wearing a tunic suit.
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