French Boys Garments: Infant Bibs


Figure 1.-- French reader has provided us this image of the bibs that he and his brother and sister wore about 1944-47. He reports, "On one my wife has found several little holes of the pin ( barrette ). It is placed above in middle. I don't know if they were worn by my sister or my brother. What is certain, the blue was mine or for my brother. They were completely hand-made.

A French reader suggests that the " bavoir " ( bib ) should ve mentioned on HBC, All French babies had a bavoir. Sime were in fact, despite their use,. quite luxurious garments. These were generaly gifts. They were very practical to prevent an infant from soiling his or her clothes. They were too models and only one size and were made in white, sky (blue), or pink. The bavoir classique was round. The bavoir américain ( American bib) was [? in luxury matching]. This fashion endured for years, but dissappeaded about 1968. They were common gifts for a child's birthday. It was given a gold-pin to attach in front the bib. These beautifull bavoirs were often hand-made with the finest emboidery. A HBC reader writes, "I found a traditional romper without collar, but a white collar could be attached. At the back of the romper there was two little buttons to close it at the back. Normaly this bib was worn for meals but also in the street because it was a fashionably done bib. Such bibs were very popular before and after the war. Very often these bibs were given as a present by the family. All the french baby had got at less one bib. On these bibs, if the money permiting, one found a big gold pin. On it the baby's name and birthday was engraved. A day about 1972 my wife had put my gold baby pin on the dress collar of my daughter and unfortuntly we lost it. I was quite sad becvause it was a treasured family heirloom. I wanted to pass it on to my children and granchildren." Another French reader reports, "I have several bibs that I and my brother and sister wore. I don't know which of us wore them. One is a very light blue. It mist have been worn by my brother. These bibs had beautiful embroidery and were exceptional works requiring a considerable effort."

Usage

The bavoirs for babies were an important element of their outfits. A French reader suggests that the " bavoir " ( bib ) should be mentioned on HBC, All French babies had a bavoir. Some were in fact, despite their use, quite luxurious garments. These were generaly gifts. They were very practical to prevent an infant from soiling his or her clothes. A baby needed several bavoirs per day.

Colors

These bavoirs were only white, sky blue (ciel), or light pink. More colors became available in the 1960s.

Two Styles

They were too models and only one size and were made in white, sky (blue), or pink. The bavoir classique was round. The bavoir américain ( American bib) was [? in luxury matching].

Chronology

This fashion endured for years, but dissappeaded about 1968.

Material

The best bibs were made in linnen (" Linon ").

Gifts

These linnen bibs could be quite expensive, especially when heavily embroidered. There were often gifts like a birthday presents.

Jewelry

They were common gifts for a child's birthday. Family members were given a gold-pin to attach in front the bib. A barrette was given for the baby birth. At the same time the baby was also given a silver roll and a silver tumble . They were engraved with the baby's initials.

Embroidery

These beautifull bavoirs were often hand-made with the finest emboidery. Some even had lace. For Sunday or for a soecial ceremony, a baby might wear a precious bavoir, wich was had necessity several days work. Even with modest income families, nice bavoirs were commonly used. They didn't require much materiaal to make, but the embroidery took a great deal of time.

Reader Comments

A HBC reader writes, "I found a traditional romper without collar, but a white collar could be attached. At the back of the romper there was two little buttons to close it at the back. Normaly this bib was worn for meals but also in the street because it was a fashionably done bib. Such bibs were very popular before and after the war. Very often these bibs were given as a present by the family. All the french baby had got at less one bib. On these bibs, if the money permiting, one found a big gold pin. On it the baby's name and birthday was engraved. A day about 1972 my wife had put my gold baby pin on the dress collar of my daughter and unfortuntly we lost it. I was quite sad becvause it was a treasured family heirloom. I wanted to pass it on to my children and granchildren." Another French reader reports, "I have several bibs that I and my brother and sister wore. I don't know which of us wore them. One is a very light blue. It mist have been worn by my brother. These bibs had beautiful embroidery and were exceptional works requiring a considerable effort."







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Created: January 18, 2003
Last updated: 5:45 PM 2/23/2006