Figure 1.--Here are some of the set offered by Sears in 1941. These sets were popular througout the 1940s, although the styling varied over time. Many had self belts or button-on styling. Suspender shorts were less common.
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Figure 1.--Here are some of the set offered by Sears in 1941. These sets were popular througout the 1940s, although the styling varied over time. Many had self belts or button-on styling. Suspender shorts were less common. |
A popular style for boys throughout the 1940s was sets. This was a shirt of varying style that was coordinated are matched with the pants. This was most commonly done with shorts pants, but there were also sets done with long pants as well. These were often play outfits, byt there were dressy ones. Younger boys often did not wear suits as they once did, but instead wore a shorts set. The age range for these shorts sets varied, but usually were done in sizes for pre-school andcearly primary school boys.
All the major retailers would have offered a variety of shorts sets. The only we have at this time is from Sears and are summer outfits.
Here we see the variety of shorts sets offered by Sears in 1941. It was the Boston edition, we thing the Spring-Summer catalog. There are many different matching or coordinated sets. The cut, color, and collar styling varied. Some are more play suits while others are dressier. There is one pair of suspender shorts and one sailor suit. Most are shorts sets, but a few are long sets. There are no knicker sets. Many had self belts or button-on styling. Suspender shorts were less common. They were done in sizes 2-6 years.
The age groupings in 1941 are a bit different than for modern childre and over-lapped somewhat depending on the garment. These sets were done for ages 2-6 years. We have seen subsequent sets done for boys up to about age 10 years. Note that the younger boys' suits were done beginning at age 4 years. This mean that Sears suits were not available for boys age 2-3 years. We suspect that these boys as well as many pre-school boys commonly wore these sets as a dressy outfit rather than a suit.
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