Figure 1.--This American boy had his portrait taken in a saolor suit during March 1923. March can be quite cold in the northern states which explains why he is wearing long stockings.

We have compiled some data on sailor suits for the inter-war and World War II years. American boys in the 1920s still commonly wore sailor suits. The fashion was not as cmmom as during the period before World War I (1914-18), but it continued to be a popular fashion for younger boys. Sailor suits now were increasingly worn for play, but some boys still had dressy suits. The dressy suits seemed more popular for summer than winter wear. We have little information about sailor suits in the U.S., but note that they cmtinued to be adverized in mail order catalogs. Sailor suits were still worn in the United States during the 1930s. They were, however, decling in popularity. Middy blouses were still commonly worn by girls, but were not nearly as common as they were in the 1920s when they were one of the most popular styles for high school girls. We have limited information on sailor suits during this period. They were still worn, but less commonly than the 1930s. Most boys wearing sailor suits were pre-school boys or boys in their first few years of primary school. Presumably World War II helped to make sailor suits popular for boys.

The 1920s

American boys in the 1920s still commonly wore sailor suits. The fashion was not as cmmom as during the period before World War I (1914-18), but it continued to be a popular fashion for younger boys. Sailor suits now were increasingly worn for play, but some boys still had dressy suits. The dressy suits seemed more popular for summer than winter wear. They were made in a wide variety of styles and available in many materials. They were both play and dressy outfits. They were generally made in sizes up to about 10 years. Older American boys did not wear sailor suits, although older European boys did. Most of the sailor suits came with kneepants or short pants. Knicker sailor suits were rare, but knicker length bloomer style pants had been worn at the turn of the century. This style had disappeared by the 1920s. A few boys wore sailor suits with long pants--mostly bell bottoms keeping with the sailor fashion.

Figure 2.--Here we see brothers in matching white summer sailor suits during the 1930s. From the look of the car it was probably the early-30s. Notice the ankle socks and sndals.

The 1930s

We have some information about sailor suits in the United States, but note that they continued to be adverized for younger boys in mail order catalogs. We also note them in the photographic record. We have also archived some vintage suits. Sailor suits were still worn in the United States during the 1930s. They were, however, decling in popularity. Middy blouses were still commonly worn by girls, but were not nearly as common as they were in the 1920s when they were one of the most popular styles for high school girls. They were less cmmon for boys, but might still be seen by on the younger boys in primary school--especially in the 1930s. While school age boys were less likely to wear them, we note that they were still a popular choice for pre-school boys. Most boys' suits were made in the button-on style both in long and short pants suits. Knicker sailor suits suits were rarely seen.

Figure 3.--Here two American brothers are habving their portrait taken in 1945. They may have had a father in the Navy. Notice the saddle shoes.

The 1940s (1940-45)

We have some limited information on sailor suits during the early 1940s. They were still worn, but we think less commonly than the 1930s. Many seem to be long pants suits. We note two unidentified boys visiting their father's ship during the War. We know they were less common in the late-40s after the War, but we stil see younger boys wearing them in the early 40s. Most boys wearing sailor suits were pre-school boys or boys in their first few years of primary school, especially grades 1 and 2. Presumably World War II helped to make sailor suits popular for boys. A good example is the sailor suits worn by Dean Stockwell in the film, "Anchors Away" (1945). We note nboth play suits and dress suits. We see fewer of the soft caps, except for the swabie caps. Even more popular than the suits were the swabby caps, worn by many boys who did not wear the suits.

Other Related HBC Pages:
[Sailor suits] [Kilts] [Smocks] [Pinafores] [Sailor Hats] [Blouses]
[Ring Bearers] [Long hair] [Ringlet curls] [Hair bows] [Bangs] [Collars] [Bows]

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Countries] [Styles]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Created: 11:06 PM 6/8/20084
Last updated: 11:06 PM 6/8/2008