Figure 1.-- This 1921 McCall's pattern for a 'Little Boy's Suit' (pattern number 4548) was pttented in August 1921. This means that it would have marketed and available in 1921-22. It ws a simple one-piece short pants outfit with a button back and seat. The buttons were placed at the back for mother's convenience. The front buttons were esentiallydecorative. McCalls which was even better known for its magzine was one of the principal sewing pattern companies. It is a one-piece outfit with the top matching the bottom, the reason it is labeled a suit. The pattern was for a 4-year old, but we do not know the size range. Notice the French and Spanish text for international sales.

A variety of styles were made in sizes from 1 to 5 years for a child beyond the infant months. This included the todler years (about 1-3 year of age). The term toddler was not yet in use. And we see the pre-school sizes (4-5 years of age). These included styles from smocks to sailor suits. The catalogs at the time often referred to this as little boys clothes. This was essetially pre-school clothes. This included what are now called toddler sies. We note several companies offering these outfits and many different styles. Some of these outfits were destinctive for the toddler years. Other outfits spanned the toddler and pre-school years. The range of styles was extensive. Younger boys might wear rompers. Styles for slightly older boys included Oliver Twist, sailor, and other styles. The Altman catalog provides a good idea of the range of different styles which includedsome skirted outfits. .

Altmans Spring Summer Catalog

Altmans called all the toddler boy outfits suits. Two of the styles, however, were smocks. Only one of the styles was a sailor suit. Some had ruffled collars. All appear to have button-on styling. The page includes both boys' suits (at the top) and girls' suits--with one exception (at the bottom). A HBC reader questions this and asks, "I looked at the Altman toddler page. How do we know that the dresses, some of which are blue (which is a boy color) is not for boys and the pink dresses for girls. We do not have all the information on the page, though you may have more information to prove that the clothes is for boys. I find it interesting that they do not distinguish girls clothes only boy clothes. It makes me wonder whether the dresses were unisex for toddlers?" HBC believes that the organization, boys atvthe top and girls at the bottom (with one exception) suggests a gender orientation. It is certainly possible that some mothers may have chosen one of the dresses, perhaps a blue one for her son. However, the fashion of dressing young boys in dresses has declined substantially since World War I. HBC believes that most boys by 1921 were wearing boys clothes. It is certianly true, however, that the fashion of outfitting younger boys in dresses had not entirely dissapered. A question about color. HBC's assessment of the subject suggests that modern color conventions were not yet established in 1921. Another comment, "If you notice there does not seem to be a distinction between boys shoes or socks at the toddler level and girl shoes and socks. Also, Altman's in comparison to Montgomery Wards seems to offer fancier collars at this age. Also rompers which were very prevalent for Montgomery Wards seems to be totally absent from B. Altman yet the years 1921 and 1922 are close enough that I would not think that would make a difference. These distinctions may be social class distinctions that we are ignoring. What are your thoughts?" HBC believes that these are very astute comments. These issues had crossed my mind. In fact one of the reasons we loaded these pages quickly without a lot of comment was to have a primary source that could be referred to in making such assssments.

Slipova Rompers

Slipova was a manufacturwr of children's clothing. A romper suit offered by the company can be seen on the previous page. Their illustrations seem to focus on girls wearing them. We dio not have the complete set of illustrations so we do not know if that was the intention. These adds were placed in mass market magazunes. Rompers in America were worn by both boys and girls. This was notable as the only non-skirted garment worn by girls. Here we see a similar pattern to England, but differed from France where it was only boys who wore rompers. As far as we know the style was the same, although there may have been color differences. We do not know much about Slipova, but they made rompers, sleepers and playclothes for boys and girls from 2-8 years. It appeared to be a brand name for McCawley of New York. Rompers were made to age 8 years, but girls my have worn the larger sizes. This is difficult to assess as they do not seem to figure signifcantly in the photographic record. They were a casual play garment and not worn to school. Slipova offered rompers and other play clothes. We are not sure just when this term first appeared, but this is an early usage. We tend to use the term rompers as bubble pants play suits, but this is not always how the trm was used at the ime. It does seem to be how Slipova is using it.

Skirted Outfits

Little Boy Suits

We see range of little boy suits. These included styles for toddlers, todlers and little boys styles, as well as little boys and early primary styles. We note Oliver Twist suits which were popular. Some were done as one-piece suits and others were two-pices suits with matching or coordinated items. We have found both catalog items and home sewing patterns. Mothers did sew outfits for younger boys, but mostly purchased oputfits for older boys. The McCalls pttern for a 4-year old is a good example of pre-chool outfits. Suits in the late-19th century were notable for how complicated they were, impossible for even a 5-year old to dress himself. These little boy suits are more simple, but not nearly as simple as modern clothes.

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Created: 4:19 PM 4/20/2013
Last updated: 10:58 AM 7/24/2013