Rompers: Chronology


Figure 1.--This little American boy was photographed in December 1919. His name is Gordon Wilson. He looks to be weaing a tunic suit evolving into a romper suit.

Rompers first appeared at the turn of the century and were very popular as play wear during the 1910s through the early 1930s. HBC is not positive why rompers appeared at the turn of the century. A HBC reader questions whether the appearance of rompers at this time related to the time when rubber pants were first available for infants and toddlers so that their clothes could be enclosed without major washings. This could well be the reason. HBC notes that as rompers became popular, fewer boys were being outfitted in dresses as had been so prevalent. Rompers in America declined in popularity during the 1930s, but they became very popular in France and were worn by boys to ages 6-7 years. Fremch boys also wore romper bottoms, usually with suspender attachments. Spme of these were dressy outfits anf were especially popular in the 1940s. Rompers in America ere worn primarily as play outfits. Usage appears to have varried somewhat between Europe and America. European boys, especially Itlalian and French boys, wore rompers into the 1950s, often as dressy outfits. Rompers did not disappear altogether for boys after the 1950s. They are still worn today, but only by infants and todlers. They are rarely worn beyond the toddler stage. By the 1990s rompers were only available for infants.

The 1900s

Rompers first appeared at the turn of the century and were very popular as play wear during the 1910s through the early 1930s. HBC is not positive why rompers appeared at the turn of the century. A HBC reader questions whether the appearance of rompers at this time related to the time when rubber pants were first available for infants and toddlers so that their clothes could be enclosed without major washings. This could well be the reason. HBC notes that as rompers became popular, fewer boys were being outfitted in dresses as had been so prevalent.

The 1910s

We notice Amercan children commonly wearing rompers in the 1910s. We note both boys and girls wearing them. The puffed pants style was popular and generally worn at knee length. Rhese rompers eem a rather restrictive garment. They were mostly voluminous affais engulfing the children. Dippers probably added to the voluminous pants look. And they were commonly worn with long stockings further covering the child. The boy here is a good example of how voluminous the pants could be. He seems, however, to wear a kind of combination romper/tunic suit outfit (figure 1). We are not yet sure about the age ranges durng the 1919s. Our archives, however, only shows younger, mostly todler age children.

The 1920s


The 1930s

There were major changes in rompers during the 1930s. Trends varied from country to country. Rompers in America followed a split trajectory. They declined in popularity for boys during the 1920s, and were not very common by the the 30s for boys. They became, however, increasingly oopular fior girls. Some parents saw them as more modest than the short pants that the biys begn wearing. On the other habd they became very popular in France for boys. They might be worn by boys up to about 6-7 years of age, although the older boys did not wear them to school. French boys also wore romper bottoms, usually with suspender attachments. This was becoming popular summer beachwear. The rompers became a less restrictive garment dring the 30s. We see a range of outfits. In France we see the classic Barboteuse romper suits with bows a the back. These were popular play garments for pre-school boys, but we also see dressy rompers. We also see bib-front and suspendr rompers. They were done to short lengths, sometimes shorter than short pants which were becoming increasngly common at the time.

The 1940s

Spme of these were dressy outfits anf were especially popular in the 1940s. Rompers in America ere worn primarily as play outfits. Usage appears to have varried somewhat between Europe and America. A French reader provides us an overview of the 1940s and early 50s. "In maternelle a lot of boy during 1940s and early 50s often wore rompers under their smocks. During the Summer the younger boys might just wear little wool underpants with their smock. In primary school boys wore short pants, often cut very short. and a long wool pants in really cold weather. Quickly when the weather was not so cold, usually before Spring, boys changed back to short pants because their mothers believed it was better for their heath. In Paris, even during the winter, younger boys might wear a wool romper. The Winter romper had long sleeves and very puffed pants, and was always very short. Rompers with knee-length pants didn't exist. Boys wore kneesocks, caps, a coat or wool cardigan, wool glove, but often with ropmers or short pants. Kneesocks were especially common with affluent families. This vogue with rompers persisted during the 1940s and much of the 50s." A French readers remembers the rompers he wore as a little boy. "Personnaly in my little boy susconscious, I was used to the style I wore when living with my uncle. I remember when I came to Paris where my parents lived, I avoided the rompers that my parents had brought for my brother. And I believe my brother didn't particulary like the style I wore."

The 1950s

European boys, especially Itlalian and French boys, wore rompers into the 1950s, often as dressy outfits.

The 1990s

Rompers did not disappear altogether for boys after the 1950s. They are still worn today, but only by infants and todlers. They are rarely worn beyond the toddler stage. By the 1990s rompers were only available for infants.








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Created: October 6, 2002
Last updated: 8:44 PM 4/21/2013